IN a poignant ceremony at the Police Officers’ Mess Annex, the Ministry of Health honoured healthcare workers who demonstrated extraordinary service and dedication in response to the Mahdia Secondary School dormitory fire tragedy.
The fire, which tragically claimed the lives of 20 youths in May last year, marked one of the most devastating events in recent history.
The Appreciation Ceremony for healthcare workers, held recently, highlighted the tireless efforts and unwavering commitment of those who responded to the crisis.
Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, praised the bravery and selflessness of the healthcare workers, acknowledging their pivotal role during and after the tragedy.
“Everybody gave selflessly, so tonight we want to acknowledge that,” Minister Anthony stated during his address. “We want to acknowledge by giving you a little token. It’s not much, but it’s a token to say that we value what you did, and we value all that you put in. It is a token that the ministry and the Government of Guyana really value your work,” he added.
Minister Anthony reflected on the multifaceted response to the tragedy, which included immediate medical attention, psychological and psychiatric care, and grievance counselling for affected communities. The comprehensive approach also involved a thorough report on the cause of the fire and the effectiveness of the emergency response, which was compiled for the Commission of Inquiry (COI).
“I think we came up with a written report of more than 50 pages on how we responded, and that in itself is a testimony to how we responded,” Minister Anthony explained.
One significant advancement highlighted during the ceremony was the implementation of telemedicine at four sites in Mahdia, ensuring prompt and effective communication and support for those in need.
“While all of this was happening, if you are going to provide support to these communities, we have to think of different ways of providing support. So, during all of that, we placed telemedicine in four of the sites so we could communicate with people and ensure that whatever issues they were having, we were able to address them,” Minister Anthony noted.
Robbie Rambarran, Chief Executive Officer of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), also lauded the compassion and empathy of the healthcare workers, who were at the forefront of one of the country’s most tragic events. He emphasised the importance of continuous improvement and encouraged the participants to be proud of their achievements.
The ceremony was also attended by other notable figures, including Dr. Ravindra Dudnauth, Deputy Director of Regional Health Services; Dr. Ertenisa Hamilton, Director of Primary Health Care Services; Michael Gouviea, Coordinator of the Indigenous People Communities; and various healthcare officials.
In his closing remarks, Minister Anthony reiterated the government’s support to the affected families and friends of the young lives lost, underscoring the invaluable contributions of the healthcare staff. The appreciation ceremony not only recognised their extraordinary efforts but also highlighted the critical role of healthcare workers in times of crisis.
