HEALTH workers not just in Guyana but across the world, have been at the forefront of the fight against the dreaded novel coronavirus pandemic, risking their lives to save others.

An assessment conducted by Amnesty International found that at least 7,000 health workers have died around the world after contracting COVID-19. At least 1,320 health workers are confirmed to have died in Mexico alone, the highest known figure for any country.
Amnesty International also recorded high numbers of health worker deaths in the USA (1,077) and Brazil (634), where infection and death rates have been high throughout the pandemic, as well as alarming figures in South Africa (240) and India (573), where infection rates have soared in recent months.
While Guyana has not lost any health worker to this dreaded disease, the severity remains evident and the risk is high; but following an appeal from frontline workers, government is considering a risk allowance for persons who are in the “direct frontline.”

With budget 2020 soon to be presented, Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony has said that a risk allowance is something under review.
“It is something requested, and it is under review,” said the health minister, adding that government is also budgeting for necessary supplies to keep frontline workers safe.

Dr. Anthony said one of government’s priorities has been the protection of health workers, including doctors, nurses and other ancillary workers, who have been dealing with cases of the disease.
“We are ensuring that we are protecting healthcare workers by procuring PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)… we spent resources trying to procure and get those equipment into Guyana,” said the health minister.

Government, in this area, has also received a “helping hand” from many “kind citizens” who, at a personal and corporate level, came forward and donated substantial funds to help procure masks and PPEs. Guyana has also received support from bilateral and multilateral partners.
Guyana, on Monday, received medical equipment from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).
Dr. Anthony had said the country received a number of PPE from CARPHA, which has been coordinating distributions across the Caribbean. The agency received several donations from various international organisations, and has been distributing same to various countries.

In addition to CARPHA’s delivery, health authorities received 5,000 three-ply surgical masks from local company, Leading Technology.
The minister of health said that the items were stored at the Materials Management Unit (MMU) and can be accessed through the usual method of requisition.
In addition to material support and protection, the Human Services and Social Security Ministry had announced that it will be expanding its childcare assistance programme to provide free child care to frontline workers, who are providing an essential service or key public services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, during a virtual press conference on Monday, said assistance will be available to the frontline workers in both private and public sectors.

In the first phase, the programme will be piloted to benefit healthcare workers, police officers, prison officers, fire service officers, security officers and army officers, with children who are below the age of seven.
Through the programme, the ministry will make direct payment for services to childcare facilities. Minister Persaud was emphatic that the “direct payment will only be made to licensed childcare facilities.”