THE Health Ministry yesterday received a donation of wheelchairs, among other supplies, worth over US$36,000, from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. And Health Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said by the end of 2011, no one in need of a wheelchair will be without.
According to him, the donation is a gift of better living and equality to its beneficiaries – persons with disabilities.
The donation was made at the Materials Management Unit (MMU), Kingston, and during the hand over, the Health Minister said the donation improves the mobility of persons with disabilities and improves what would have been a “diminished life.”
Apart from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Ramsammy said the Ministry of Health is also partnering with Food for the Poor for acquiring wheel chairs.

Major Issue

Ramsammy pointed out that disability is a major health challenge for not only Guyana, but countries around the world.
However, he noted that increasing emphasis is being placed on disability and it is now more prominent on the public health agenda.
Locally, the Minister said the Ministry staffers are working with stakeholder groups within the Disability Movement to complete a register of all persons with disabilities.
“The register is almost complete,” he said.
In this context, he said all public organisations are required to report the names of persons with disabilities to the Health Ministry so their names can be added to the register.
In addition to public organisations, Ramsammy called for community groups, such as churches and other religious groups, to step on board with the initiative.
He explained that once the names of persons with disabilities have been registered, the Health Ministry will be better placed to follow up and offer support.
“The register helps us to mobilize resources for support,” he said.

“This is about enriching the population of persons with disabilities…this is the partnership we have entered into,” Ramsammy said.
He observed that persons with disabilities have significant potential and deserve to be supported in their pursuit to realise this.

Support

The Health Minister added that improving the mobility of persons with disabilities with “properly fitted” wheelchairs, is only one avenue of support.
He said currently the Health Ministry is facilitating transportation in and around Georgetown for persons with disabilities to visit health care delivery institutions.
Transportation is also provided for the movement from their homes to the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.
Ramsammy said on the cards too is organizing transportation for children with disabilities to and from school.
“We are exploring this,” he said.
He acknowledged that the support being offered currently is not enough and said there is a role for everyone to play in improving the support mechanisms.
A major step, he pointed to, is the development of a sign language curriculum for Guyana.
Ramsammy explained that the Ministry is working with stakeholders in the Disability Movement to have the curriculum completed.
Once completed, between 10 and 12 Guyanese will be trained as sign language instructors and will be placed across the country.
“They will meet annually to revise the manual,” he said.
Also to be rolled out is the allocation of $4M to upgrade the audiology laboratory at the Georgetown Public Hospital and the one in New Amsterdam, as well as others.
He stated that the Ministry has procured two buses and is currently procuring equipment to transform one of the vehicles into a mobile audiology laboratory.
The other is expected to be fitted with a dental chair to support dental care in communities.
“These vehicles will go out and bring the services to the people,” Ramsammy said.
He observed that these moves, and others, reduce the disparities among persons with disabilities and other Guyanese.
“We are not doing this out of generosity, it is our responsibility and our obligation…we need to reduce the disparity,” he said.
The Health Minister stressed that there have been major improvements in 2010 to make it easier for persons with disabilities.