AS Guyana moves into top gear of preparedness to fight the deadly Ebola virus disease, should it reach the country’s shores, the Government is poised to host a stakeholders’ forum today on involvement and awareness of preparedness to deal with the virus. Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon, during his weekly press conference at Office of the President, explained that only recently President Ramotar addressed the nation on Guyana’s preparedness at that particular point in time. Since then, he said, state and government actors have made formal presentation to the President on measures to conquer Ebola.
The HPS noted that it is the Government’s aim to keep the disease off the shores of Guyana and measures have been put in place to prevent persons from the affected countries entering Guyana. He said that if the deadly virus is to somehow make its way to Guyana, we should have measures in place to keep our people safe. “Should the virus arrive here,[there will be] the implementation of a menu of measures, comprehensive enough to assure the health of Guyanese in confronting this disease” he said.
Dr. Luncheon noted that to make ready Guyana for this deadly virus, “we will collaborate with neighbouring states particularly Brazil and Suriname, CARICOM countries and with international bodies to coordinate responses to Ebola.”
He alluded to the fact that at the weekly Cabinet meeting a decision was taken to extend involvement to “non-state actors” to have their presentation on measures to deal with Ebola. “It is now planned to extend the involvement and awareness of preparedness to non-state actors to a stakeholders’ forum, which will be held on October 30 at the Cabinet Room, Office of the President at 16:30hrs” he said.
Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs), members of civil society and the body politic will be invited to participate and present their views on this deadly virus.
Only recently, President Donald Ramotar praised the efforts being made to address any possible local Ebola cases. The Head of State had a first-hand look at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport’s (CJIA) preparations to address the medical requirements of any air traveller suspected of being infected with Ebola.

(Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)