THE Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) has gifted phones with SIM cards and special mobile plans to the Region Four Health Department to ensure ongoing connectivity with COVID-19 patients.

The mobile plan includes 30 days unlimited calling to patients with GTT numbers and an additional 200 minutes to make contact with those patients not on the same network. The plan also features 3GB data that can be used to facilitate WhatsApp calling.
“We are always happy to contribute to a good cause. Since the start of the pandemic in Guyana, we have been supporting our frontline heroes with free data, to ensure that they remain connected while on and off duty. This latest gift is an extension of our acknowledgement that we are in this together – and together we will rise,” said GTT’s Public Relations Manager, Jasmin Harris.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic in Guyana, GTT has made a range of donations to the healthcare sector. These include a Ministry of Health toll free COVID-19 hotline, free mobile services for doctors and nurses, stipends to COVID-19 hotline volunteers and most recently data SIMs to connect COVID+ mothers to their newborns through technology.
Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr. Gavin Nash Persaud, said that he was appreciative for GTT’s most recent support, which was made to specifically assist with tracking cases.
“The Health Department of Region Four is extremely grateful for GTT’s kind donation of phones with SIMs. This contribution will ensure consistent and necessary follow ups with patients,” Persaud said.

He explained that, “…the devices would mainly be utilised on weekends and holidays to communicate COVID-19 test results to persons living on the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara.”
The RHO also took the opportunity to remind citizens to protect themselves from the novel coronavirus. “Wear your masks, wash your hands correctly and frequently and maintain social distancing,” said Dr. Persaud.