Laparkan partners Health Ministry for robust neighbourhood outreach
THE Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Fogarty’s Department Store, hosted a medical outreach at the Water Street business location yesterday, in aid of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. It marked the start of a robust fight against the disease and is expected to be undertaken by several other businesses and corporate entities around the country, said Health Minister, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran.
Speaking at the forum, he said efforts are being made by the ministry to ensure that this issue is dealt with urgently and it is now one of the main goals within the sector.
“This month and, in December, the Ministry of Health started to roll out a robust programme, to put the fight against this on the front burner,” Dr. Ramsaran said.
The minister said he is pleased to know that business owners and managers see this project as one that is fitting to benefit their staff and the country at large.
He said more workplaces should take this step because it is very suitable for employees who are unable to do various medical inspections and hospital visits.
Continuing, he said: “We are happy to be invited by Laparkan to partner and this is what is called corporate neighbourhood. The aim is to improve the corporate neighbourhood …health awareness programmes not only benefit these workers … this is not only involved with Laparkan but other businesses around this area.”
Ramsaran said the ministry will be looking at more innovative ways of dealing with the population, now that the country’s health sector is moving more vigorously to see the involvement of corporate businesses.
“Now we are moving more vigorously to involve corporate businesses, so this is such an activity that I am happy about and Laparkan has provided this space to conduct this outreach for the next three weeks.”
Minister Ramsaran said this project is being executed in such a way that workers would not be required to leave their work sites to get tested as there is treatment right at their doorstep.

BRINGING SERVICES
“So we don’t have to bring them out of their workplaces to wait in a line; so that means their bosses should be happy, because this would be less time being lost and it will also be bringing services to the workforce,” he added.
Ramsaran said persons would be tested for cervical cancer and several different types of screening will be done during the testing process and treatment given on the spot once it is necessary.
“Laparkan has over 220 workers here at this facility and it would be good to tap into them for health awareness programmes, for example cervical screening, cervical cancer and eye screening, which means we will be reaching a significant number of people right where they work,” he observed.
The Health Minister thanked the departmental heads of Laparkan for initiating this project, noting that people have been assured of confidentiality and privacy while doing VIA testing and treating on the spot.
In addition, he said Fogarty’s will also have a voluntary blood drive that will work in tune with the outreach.
“The ministry has been working along with the other neighbouring organisations to bring them out for this activity,” Ramsaran stated, appealing to persons to come out and assist the Blood Bank in continuing its efforts of saving the lives of the people.
According to him, they are hoping to get a better bang out of this venture.
In brief remarks, Laparkan Executive Director Vibert Parvatan gave the assurance that full support will be given to ensure that this project is successful.
The Health Ministry inaugurated its awareness and prevention programme at East La Penitence Health Centre on January 11 to heighten knowledge of the second most common cancer affecting women and this has led to more of them seeking screening, diagnosis and treatment.
The ministry has also introduced visual inspection free of cost, to encourage women to check on their status, as early detection can, potentially, save lives and the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine will be administered to young girls from 11 years old to prevent them developing cervical cancer.
Since 2007, some 25 sites have been established at various health institutions throughout the country, as Guyana has a high percentage of cervical cancer cases.