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THE Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Wednesday, brought together Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) from across the country at a workshop to strengthen working relations, and discuss the role and responsibilities of persons in the environmental health field. Among these are the EHOs, environmental health assistants (EHAs) and the senior environmental health officers (SEHOs) stationed at Local Government organs, including the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Neigbhourhood Democratic Council (NDC) and municipalities.
Wednesday’s workshop was held under the theme ‘Enhancing the practice of Environmental Public Health in the Local Government System’ at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal.
Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker, highlighted that the theme indicates that there is need for improvement. He recalled that at the recent retreat of the ministry, the ministers and the permanent secretary assessed the performance of local government staff in the various sectors and programme. “The returns were not satisfying enough … not only satisfying to us, who have the oversight, but to the people who we are supposed to serve,” he said.
It was also determined that the services offered were not adequate and action needed to be taken to boost delivery, timeliness of delivery and quality of delivery.
Minister Whittaker pointed out that of great importance is the EHO’s duty to educate, inform and create awareness among the communities for which he or she is responsible, as this approach makes citizens more aware of the consequences and repercussions of acts like improper garbage disposal, road side vending, and nuisances.
The minister acknowledged that this is a preventative approach and it is premised on a belief that is rational and proven.
He encouraged the gathering to become familiar with Local Government Act 28:02 and Chapter 1:45 of the Public Health Act. “I say this even as I say to you that you could not allow yourself to be confined because some of us like to do that… we quote legislation conveniently when it suits our purpose to do so,” he noted.
Minister Whittaker emphasised that the ministry’s intention is to develop a competent work force; however such cannot be achieved unless the personnel apply themselves. The minister also highlighted some complaints sent to the ministry about the performance of EHOs.
Permanent Secretary Collin Croal noted that the session was in keeping with the ministry’s thrust to develop and enhance the capabilities of the human resources of the ministry and its organs.
“We are having this workshop because you are not performing to the best of your ability… I don’t think some of you understand your role in the region as well as the NDCs,” Croal stated. In this regard, training will be continuous and the ministry will be monitoring the officers’ performance.
Similar cluster sessions will also be held at the regional level.
He noted that having followed the issues that were coming up at the Public Accounts Committee level, it was recognised that at the local government organs all the officials are not functioning. Croal said that the ministry has been receiving too many complaints about the untimely response to approval of plans, some officers accepting money before doing their tasks, some officers not attending the statutory meetings, and monitoring is absent in the local government organs.
While the Health Ministry is responsible for the policy aspect, the Ministry of Local Government is tasked with ensuring the EHOs carry out their duties.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, in his presentation, highlighted the legal components attached to the office of the EHO. The last act that was tabled in the National Assembly focuses on public health practitioners. The Allied Health Professionals Act requires that all public health officers now be registered and annually licenced by the medical council to execute their duties.
In addition to that, the EHOs, the EAHs and SEHOs are mandated to be licenced and attend at least four medical educational programmes. The credits for these must be attained before being licenced to practise in Guyana. Dr. Persaud emphasised that this aspect aids in advancing the officer’s education and capabilities.
He illustrated that public health goes back to Guyana’s colonial past, when the Public Health Ordinance was created in 1934. Since then many countries have evolved, nevertheless the old ordinance remains.
Wednesday’s workshop was held under the theme ‘Enhancing the practice of Environmental Public Health in the Local Government System’ at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal.
Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker, highlighted that the theme indicates that there is need for improvement. He recalled that at the recent retreat of the ministry, the ministers and the permanent secretary assessed the performance of local government staff in the various sectors and programme. “The returns were not satisfying enough … not only satisfying to us, who have the oversight, but to the people who we are supposed to serve,” he said.
It was also determined that the services offered were not adequate and action needed to be taken to boost delivery, timeliness of delivery and quality of delivery.
Minister Whittaker pointed out that of great importance is the EHO’s duty to educate, inform and create awareness among the communities for which he or she is responsible, as this approach makes citizens more aware of the consequences and repercussions of acts like improper garbage disposal, road side vending, and nuisances.
The minister acknowledged that this is a preventative approach and it is premised on a belief that is rational and proven.
He encouraged the gathering to become familiar with Local Government Act 28:02 and Chapter 1:45 of the Public Health Act. “I say this even as I say to you that you could not allow yourself to be confined because some of us like to do that… we quote legislation conveniently when it suits our purpose to do so,” he noted.
Minister Whittaker emphasised that the ministry’s intention is to develop a competent work force; however such cannot be achieved unless the personnel apply themselves. The minister also highlighted some complaints sent to the ministry about the performance of EHOs.
Permanent Secretary Collin Croal noted that the session was in keeping with the ministry’s thrust to develop and enhance the capabilities of the human resources of the ministry and its organs.
“We are having this workshop because you are not performing to the best of your ability… I don’t think some of you understand your role in the region as well as the NDCs,” Croal stated. In this regard, training will be continuous and the ministry will be monitoring the officers’ performance.
Similar cluster sessions will also be held at the regional level.
He noted that having followed the issues that were coming up at the Public Accounts Committee level, it was recognised that at the local government organs all the officials are not functioning. Croal said that the ministry has been receiving too many complaints about the untimely response to approval of plans, some officers accepting money before doing their tasks, some officers not attending the statutory meetings, and monitoring is absent in the local government organs.
While the Health Ministry is responsible for the policy aspect, the Ministry of Local Government is tasked with ensuring the EHOs carry out their duties.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, in his presentation, highlighted the legal components attached to the office of the EHO. The last act that was tabled in the National Assembly focuses on public health practitioners. The Allied Health Professionals Act requires that all public health officers now be registered and annually licenced by the medical council to execute their duties.
In addition to that, the EHOs, the EAHs and SEHOs are mandated to be licenced and attend at least four medical educational programmes. The credits for these must be attained before being licenced to practise in Guyana. Dr. Persaud emphasised that this aspect aids in advancing the officer’s education and capabilities.
He illustrated that public health goes back to Guyana’s colonial past, when the Public Health Ordinance was created in 1934. Since then many countries have evolved, nevertheless the old ordinance remains.
