…Shut-ins lobby for house-to-house visitations at public day

HUNDREDS of persons on Wednesday had their health-related concerns dealt with on the spot and were encouraged to take their health seriously during the massive multi-ministry outreach at the Square of the Revolution.

Managing three booths were officials of the Ministry of Public Health and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), along with Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings.

Pausing briefly from her interactions with the public, Minister Cummings told the newspaper that before lunch the booth she spearheaded had seen over 100 persons. Those assisting included the ministry’s permanent secretary; deputy permanent secretary and representatives of the Finance Department and various sub-programmes such as Disease Control, Maternal and Child Health and Regional Health Services.

“Everybody was out here today and persons were satisfied with our meeting their needs. The complaint has been that we’re not going where the people are, so it’s an opportune time to reach persons and we have responded to the call,” Dr. Cummings said.
Some of the areas in which the ministry provided assistance were mental health issues, job applications and vector control.

“Persons complained that where they’re living there are a lot of stagnant drains and so it’s [attracting] mosquitoes, so we would have been able to attach them to the Vector Control Department to hear from the director there. Persons also would have had health companies and they were having problems getting them registered; and so we were able to suggest that they go to our Standards and Technical Services Department and so, all in all, persons were very pleased to come and they’re very glad for the exercise,” she added.

Pointing to an array of brochures which lined the many tables at the booths, she stated that many persons were able to receive health advice and tips encouraging them to live healthier lives.

They included information on diabetes, cardiovascular health, chronic depression, substance use and more.

“We believe that health literacy is very important and we want to ensure that persons will take control of their health,” she stressed.

“The health of the nation is really the wealth of the nation. We are poised to become an oil-rich country and so we want a healthy population and we want persons with healthy workers; we don’t want persons to have sick days and so forth, so health is very important and we encourage them to take their health seriously and to follow up at the nearest health centre.”

Meanwhile, Senior Psychologist at the Mental Health Unit at the ministry, Dr. Balogun Osunbiyi told the newspaper that the event had exceeded his expectations.

He noted that when the ministry’s team arrived around 07:30hrs, there were already about 300 persons waiting for the 09:00hrs start and by 10:00hrs, the crowd had passed 850.
“Here at the Ministry of Public Health we would have seen upwards of 200 persons in our booth alone,” he said.

Speaking to his field of expertise, Osunbiyi added: “Persons had questions not only for themselves, but their relatives…we were able to address virtually all of those concerns. There were some persons who had relatives [with mental health issues] and we were able to take action immediately as those relatives, within the next 24 hours, are going to receive attention from our mental health staff throughout the region.”

In stating this, he expounded that the event saw turnout from persons from the regions, persons who jumped at the opportunity to meet face to face with the country’s leaders.
“I think based on the comments of persons who we interacted with, this is something that needs to be repeated maybe every quarter and in every region, because people have those needs and their needs need to be met,” the senior psychologist stated.

CARE FOR THE ELDERLY
Catching up with several citizens coming away from the health booths, it was obvious that they felt their concerns were not only heard, but would be acted upon swiftly. “My concern was finding out if the Ministry of Public Health has a permanent place where senior citizens can go to get proper medical healthcare because, for the past couple days, I’m experiencing a chest pain right across the chest to the back; in my right eye I’m seeing spots on and off ,” said 62-year-old Leroy Austin.

“They directed me to an area for that at the Palms and the Georgetown hospital, so I will check on that tomorrow. I’m a pensioner and I’m happy with the initiative so far.”
However, Austin agreed that the event ought to be held more times within the year, while he recommended that house-to-house visitations could become a solution for shut-in individuals.
Meanwhile, Paula Evans told the newspaper: “I had something that I had to deal with at the Ministry of Health and I got through very easily. They paid attention to the matter and they will do further follow up on Tuesday.” She noted that she heard about the event on the radio and is thankful for it as on a regular day, she would not have been able to speak with the permanent secretary unscheduled.