Health Ministry commissions Tuberculosis Programme Unit
-part of activities to mark ‘World TB Day 2011’
Against the background of an upsurge in Tuberculosis cases globally, and increased efforts locally by the Ministry of Health and related agencies to increase national awareness of the serious health contagion, Guyana today joined the rest of the world in observance of World Tuberculosis Day 2011 under the theme, “On The Move Against Tuberculosis, On The Road to Elimination.”
The activity which was held at the newly constructed Tuberculosis Programme Unit’ at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) attracted scores of persons from the health sector, with the aim of ensuring that enhanced emphasis is place in eradicating the disease.
The commissioning of the Unit is part of a $100M project which comprises a chest clinic which has already been commissioned, the TB programme Unit and an inpatient facility which is under construction.
Health Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy while delivering the keynote address called on private sector, Non-Governmental Organisations and developing countries to address some of the constraints such as development of improved and enhanced medication. The latter was developed in the late 1950s and the 1960s.
He added that this is part of Government’s effort to eliminate the number of cases of contractions and deaths caused by Tuberculosis annually, since developing countries have larger TB epidemics than developed countries.
Some of the constraints according to the Health Minister, are;- the development of improved and enhanced medication; development of TB medication for pediatrician and additional testing sites.
As part of the activity, the Health Ministry will also commission shortly a digital x-ray system in the public sector, so as to improve the physical, social and mental health status of all Guyanese.
“Like many countries around the world, developing and developed, TB is still a big public health problem in Guyana. It is a global health problem and lives ominously alongside HIV,” he said.
Minister Ramsammy however, pointed out that Government has since been successful in delivering a response that has seen a major reversal in Tuberculosis and its related crisis.
This has seen a significant reduction in TB cases annually due to a trajectory embarked upon on the Health Ministry, placing Guyana on a much safer road towards eliminating the scourge.
“Tuberculosis persistence and its acceleration over the last 30-years around the world has not only been driven by HIV, it has also been driven by the fact that there are increasingly better chances for the spread of TB unless we recognise the catalysts and remove them from theirpotential roles,” the Health Minister said.
There are currently 20 TB testing sites countrywide and according to the Health Minister, these will be complemented with sites at Mahaicony, Kamarang and on the East Bank Demerara.
Government is also looking to introduce a rapid new test for TB as soon as it becomes available. There are currently 9 million new infections and approximately 1.7 million deaths caused by TB every year world wide.
According to the Health Minister, Tuberculosis can be eliminated only if all stakeholders play their part in its eradication.
While there is improved treatment access for the disease, there are also certain risk factors that should be dealt with.
“Every country has now documented cases of MDR (Multi Drug Resistant). This is a new global challenge and represents a serious public health threat. In Guyana, we have not yet experienced a high level of MDR cases, although we have documented about five cases so far. For this reason we will have to introduce greater vigilance and ensure that there is 100 percent compliance with medication among those who are being treated,” he said.
Between 2007 and 2010, Guyana has seen a reduction in incidence of Tuberculosis.
In 2007 it was recorded at 93 persons for every 100,000 persons in the population. This has since seen a reduction in case with a recorded 89 for every 100,000 in 2010.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Ex-Office of the President staff thinks she is being targeted
-accused of leaking information to Kaieteur News
25-year old Marcelle Joseph a formers staff at the Office of the President in Guyana is accusing the Government for what she deems as ‘targeting’ her reputation, as she was recently dismissed of her duties, after not being given a reason as to why.
Joseph who was employed as a Technical Research Officer at OP from 2008 to 2011 in an interview on www.benscopradio.com with treason accused Mark Benscop denied any knowledge of leaking information to the Kaieteur News, with regards to the Presidents ‘One Laptop Per Family’ programme.
According to Joseph, she received a letter from one Ms, Hackette and upon opening the sealed letter she discovered her termination. Pior, she was summoned to a meeting with Public Service Minister Dr. Jennifer Westford after writing a statement to Dr. Nanda Gopaul her immediate boss.
“I was terminated after being accused of leaking information to the press, when no proper investigations were carried out to determine how the leakage came about. But what I can say is that anything coming out of OP once directed to the Permanent Secretary has to be stamped,” she said.
However, according to Joseph this was not done in this instance, well that is according to the receipts printed in the Kaieteur News which bore no stamp of OP or was signed as to the date received.
She is claiming her innocence as she stated that her only knowledge of person(s) signing for the laptop was herself and another identified as the cleaner at the Office of the President.
But appearing in the press was that of another individual who signed Aleta Hassan of which Joseph denied even having the knowledge of her signing for the laptops. She believes her termination has a lot to do with her affiliation with anti-government officials.
“I believe I was fired sue to my affiliations with anti-government people but I could be wrong, but I am willing to get to the bottom of it. They properly thinks I know too much and that is why they want to get rid of me,” she said.
Joseph in her interview with Mark, also stated that she received a threatening telephone call from Advisor to the President Odinga Lumumba pertaining to the incident. She is now in the US since she is currently afraid of being killed by ‘Thugs’.
-accused of leaking information to Kaieteur News
25-year old Marcelle Joseph a formers staff at the Office of the President in Guyana is accusing the Government for what she deems as ‘targeting’ her reputation, as she was recently dismissed of her duties, after not being given a reason as to why.
Joseph who was employed as a Technical Research Officer at OP from 2008 to 2011 in an interview on www.benscopradio.com with treason accused Mark Benscop denied any knowledge of leaking information to the Kaieteur News, with regards to the Presidents ‘One Laptop Per Family’ programme.
According to Joseph, she received a letter from one Ms, Hackette and upon opening the sealed letter she discovered her termination. Pior, she was summoned to a meeting with Public Service Minister Dr. Jennifer Westford after writing a statement to Dr. Nanda Gopaul her immediate boss.
“I was terminated after being accused of leaking information to the press, when no proper investigations were carried out to determine how the leakage came about. But what I can say is that anything coming out of OP once directed to the Permanent Secretary has to be stamped,” she said.
However, according to Joseph this was not done in this instance, well that is according to the receipts printed in the Kaieteur News which bore no stamp of OP or was signed as to the date received.
She is claiming her innocence as she stated that her only knowledge of person(s) signing for the laptop was herself and another identified as the cleaner at the Office of the President.
But appearing in the press was that of another individual who signed Aleta Hassan of which Joseph denied even having the knowledge of her signing for the laptops. She believes her termination has a lot to do with her affiliation with anti-government officials.
“I believe I was fired sue to my affiliations with anti-government people but I could be wrong, but I am willing to get to the bottom of it. They properly thinks I know too much and that is why they want to get rid of me,” she said.
Joseph in her interview with Mark, also stated that she received a threatening telephone call from Advisor to the President Odinga Lumumba pertaining to the incident. She is now in the US since she is currently afraid of being killed by ‘Thugs’.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Food strategy to enhance hinterland production and accessibility
-Minister Persaud tells toshaos, farmers during Food and Nutrition Consultation
Maintaining a food secure economy is a vital ingredient to ensure that favourable development takes place, and to ensure that this is maintained, Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud and a team of technical officers on Tuesday hosted the first food and nutrition consultation exercise in the hinterland.
The consultation which was held at the Aishalton Community Centre, Region Nine attracted scores of toshaos, farmers and residents. It was aimed at highlighting the importance of food security to the economy and its development.
Minister Persaud in addressing the gathering underscored the importance of maintaining a food secure nation, in keeping with the Food and Agriculture Organization’s thrust of eliminating world hunger.
He added that as the Food and Nutrition Strategy committee seeks to finalise the document, it is important for each community to be actively involved.
“We recognise what your area can offer us in terms of opportunities in dealing with the food security situation although you are sometimes vulnerable, to bad weather, accessibility and the topography of your landscape when it comes to climate change and your production,” he said.
While emphasizing the importance of the strategy’s implementation, the Agriculture Minister said that it is always important to plan ahead, since there are constraints that can affect Guyana’s food quota.
Hinterland communities are oftentimes the most vulnerable to food insecurities according to Minister Persaud, who noted that if a community does not have enough to eat, production and the community’s development would be hampered.
As such, it is important for the Government to plan ahead hence the crafting of the National Strategy, which is a proactive plan this is directed at improving the food situation of a country and its populace.
“We wanted to ensure that we do not leave hinterland communities behind, since the strategy not only focuses on coastal agriculture and as part of Government’s outlook, it is important that we allow communities, notwithstanding its location, to benefit from the developments that are being implemented,” he said.
Minister Persaud pointed out that if the strategy is to be successful then the immediate issues that concern the development of agriculture, if not addressed can affect food production in the long-term.
Community developments
The 2011 National Budget which was recently passed in the National Assembly will pave the way for continued development of communities, enabling them to record increased production and productivity.
“This year’s, budget gives us an opportunity to continue and expand programmes and policies that are implemented.”
Among the interventions to be implemented by the Agriculture Ministry this year, would include:- having a more enhanced extension service, introduction of new crop-spices; the improved provision of planting materials, since hinterland communities are oftentimes affected by the unpredictable weather pattern; enhanced production in the cattle industry and integration of hinterland agriculture with coastal agriculture.
In line with this, plans are materializing to have an extension staff and a veterinary officer stationed in Aishalton to ensure that the livestock and crops needs of farmers are addressed.
Climate change has been a defining issue of the 21st century and to ensure that the productivity is not hampered- the Government in 2010 expended approximately $47M to address the needs of farmers during the El Nino and La Nina weather conditions.
“Works are also moving apace to see how it is we can make your communities much more climate resilient so that it does not affect your livelihood and food production. We are also looking at how it is we can support you more in livestock,” he said.
Under the Ministry of Agriculture’s breeding programme- Guyana has been able for the first time to embark upon artificial insemination. To date, the Ministry of Agriculture has distributed 150 breeding rams and pigs each, in an effort to further expand the breeding programme.
To ensure that farming areas remain viable, a joint venture between the Governments of Guyana and Spain, through the Spanish Development Agency support, saw the implementation of the $128.6M hinterland rice and beans project at Moco Moco, Region Nine.
This, according to Minister Persaud, is to ensure that the South Rupununi remains food secure, stating that the food security strategy is not meant to change the diet of persons, but rather, to sustain, develop and improve their food situation.
-Minister Persaud tells toshaos, farmers during Food and Nutrition Consultation
Maintaining a food secure economy is a vital ingredient to ensure that favourable development takes place, and to ensure that this is maintained, Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud and a team of technical officers on Tuesday hosted the first food and nutrition consultation exercise in the hinterland.
The consultation which was held at the Aishalton Community Centre, Region Nine attracted scores of toshaos, farmers and residents. It was aimed at highlighting the importance of food security to the economy and its development.
Minister Persaud in addressing the gathering underscored the importance of maintaining a food secure nation, in keeping with the Food and Agriculture Organization’s thrust of eliminating world hunger.
He added that as the Food and Nutrition Strategy committee seeks to finalise the document, it is important for each community to be actively involved.
“We recognise what your area can offer us in terms of opportunities in dealing with the food security situation although you are sometimes vulnerable, to bad weather, accessibility and the topography of your landscape when it comes to climate change and your production,” he said.
While emphasizing the importance of the strategy’s implementation, the Agriculture Minister said that it is always important to plan ahead, since there are constraints that can affect Guyana’s food quota.
Hinterland communities are oftentimes the most vulnerable to food insecurities according to Minister Persaud, who noted that if a community does not have enough to eat, production and the community’s development would be hampered.
As such, it is important for the Government to plan ahead hence the crafting of the National Strategy, which is a proactive plan this is directed at improving the food situation of a country and its populace.
“We wanted to ensure that we do not leave hinterland communities behind, since the strategy not only focuses on coastal agriculture and as part of Government’s outlook, it is important that we allow communities, notwithstanding its location, to benefit from the developments that are being implemented,” he said.
Minister Persaud pointed out that if the strategy is to be successful then the immediate issues that concern the development of agriculture, if not addressed can affect food production in the long-term.
Community developments
The 2011 National Budget which was recently passed in the National Assembly will pave the way for continued development of communities, enabling them to record increased production and productivity.
“This year’s, budget gives us an opportunity to continue and expand programmes and policies that are implemented.”
Among the interventions to be implemented by the Agriculture Ministry this year, would include:- having a more enhanced extension service, introduction of new crop-spices; the improved provision of planting materials, since hinterland communities are oftentimes affected by the unpredictable weather pattern; enhanced production in the cattle industry and integration of hinterland agriculture with coastal agriculture.
In line with this, plans are materializing to have an extension staff and a veterinary officer stationed in Aishalton to ensure that the livestock and crops needs of farmers are addressed.
Climate change has been a defining issue of the 21st century and to ensure that the productivity is not hampered- the Government in 2010 expended approximately $47M to address the needs of farmers during the El Nino and La Nina weather conditions.
“Works are also moving apace to see how it is we can make your communities much more climate resilient so that it does not affect your livelihood and food production. We are also looking at how it is we can support you more in livestock,” he said.
Under the Ministry of Agriculture’s breeding programme- Guyana has been able for the first time to embark upon artificial insemination. To date, the Ministry of Agriculture has distributed 150 breeding rams and pigs each, in an effort to further expand the breeding programme.
To ensure that farming areas remain viable, a joint venture between the Governments of Guyana and Spain, through the Spanish Development Agency support, saw the implementation of the $128.6M hinterland rice and beans project at Moco Moco, Region Nine.
This, according to Minister Persaud, is to ensure that the South Rupununi remains food secure, stating that the food security strategy is not meant to change the diet of persons, but rather, to sustain, develop and improve their food situation.
Guyana/Venezuela cooperation indispensable to combat narco-trafficking
-Home Affairs Ministry on verge of developing 2011-2015 drug plan
A Guyanese delegation led by Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee today met with officials from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela led by Ambassador Dario Morandy to discuss areas of bilateral cooperation in the fight against illicit trafficking and use of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and chemical precursors and other related offences.
Minister Rohee in his remarks said that the meeting was held at an opportune time since Guyana is at the cusp of developing a successor 2011-2015 National Drug Strategy Master Plan.
“A key component of any narcotics strategy for Guyana must be cooperation and coordination with its neighbours, especially in view of the fact that much of the drug activities associated with Guyana have their origins beyond the country’s borders,” the Minister said.
He pointed out that it is an incontrovertible fact that the suppression of the drug trade cannot start and end with national jurisdictions and therefore regional and international cooperation and coordinated actions is necessary.
Guyana and Venezuela share a border that is approximately 672 kilometers (420 miles) long. There is a vast body of water through which the two countries are connected.
Minister Rohee explained that the monitoring of territories of this size in an era of increasing technological advancement and the acumen of the perpetrators of the trade in illegal drugs would be a challenge for a State that has an abundance of resources much less developing countries such as Guyana and Venezuela which have competing demands.
In recognition of this fact, Presidents Bharrat Jagdeo and Hugo Chavez at a meeting in Caracas in July 2010 came to an agreement that efforts have to be made to enhance and intensify cooperation and coordination between the law enforcement agencies between the two countries.
It is believed that the scourge in the drug trade gives rise to other forms of nefarious activities which include: gun running, kidnapping, murders, and other wanton criminal activities.
It is envisaged that the instruments that will be agreed on to enhance cooperation between Guyana and Venezuela will include assistance in the confiscation of assets of those convicted of the involvement in the trade of illegal drugs, and ensure real time cooperation and coordination between the law enforcement agencies of both countries.
The Minister pointed out that much has been said about Guyana’s implementation of its 2005-2009 National Drug Strategy Master Plan and that many argue that the plan only exists in “the books”.
“I wish to assure every Guyanese that this is not so, of the 36 programmes identified for implementation under the strategy 17 have been concluded, 16 are works in progress and only three have not commenced implementation,” Minister Rohee said.
He added that while it is true that the plan had a duration of five years, however, the implementation of any strategic plan depends on the timely availability of resources.
Last year, significant strides were made with regards to the fight against the drug trade in Guyana. The seizures of cannabis amounted to 191, 877 kilogrammes (Kg) and 537 persons were arrested and charged.
The cocaine seizures on the other hand, amounted to about 72Kg, which resulted in 132 persons being arrested and charged. Additionally, eradication exercises were conducted on 61 cannabis fields (97 acres) with plants weighing a total of 185,221 Kg.
The key elements in the fight against narco-trafficking in Guyana include:
Providing more human and technological resources to the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) and the narcotics branch of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
Continuing enhancement of CANU’s and GPF’s capacity at all legal and illegal ports of entry as well as exit points.
Dismantling all suspected networks at air and sea ports.
Identifying transshipment routes and use appropriate equipment to interdict suspects.
Enhancing maritime intelligence by establishing relevant databases and profiling of vessels.
Using advanced technology to conduct effective raids and searches.
Continuing to work towards more effective networking with foreign counterparts.
Increasing information and intelligence driven operations.
Continuing to upgrade security arrangements at the Cheddi Jagan and Ogle International Airports to stem the outflow of drugs.
And continuing to ensure accountability and transparency in the activities of law enforcement agencies through regular polygraphing.
Minister Rohee said that, “today further action is being taken to ensure that the instruments that we have in place to facilitate the cooperation and coordination is responsive to the present and emerging modus operandi of the operators of the illegal trade as well as their facilitators.”
Both Guyana and Venezuela are aware of the multilateral instruments that can be used to assist the cooperative efforts, but as neighbouring States, direct communication and cooperation are indispensable to those who are involved in trafficking in narcotics.
Morandy in his brief remarks expressed his Government’s satisfaction with regards to the level of cooperation that the two countries are embarking on.
“This meeting is a continuation of the work that has been going on between both countries with the objective of signing an agreement for the suppression of illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs,” he said.
He added that with this agreement, Venezuela is seeking to strengthen the cooperation with Guyana and to advance the regional integration in the fight against the drug trade that causes much harm to both nations.
-Home Affairs Ministry on verge of developing 2011-2015 drug plan
A Guyanese delegation led by Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee today met with officials from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela led by Ambassador Dario Morandy to discuss areas of bilateral cooperation in the fight against illicit trafficking and use of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and chemical precursors and other related offences.
Minister Rohee in his remarks said that the meeting was held at an opportune time since Guyana is at the cusp of developing a successor 2011-2015 National Drug Strategy Master Plan.
“A key component of any narcotics strategy for Guyana must be cooperation and coordination with its neighbours, especially in view of the fact that much of the drug activities associated with Guyana have their origins beyond the country’s borders,” the Minister said.
He pointed out that it is an incontrovertible fact that the suppression of the drug trade cannot start and end with national jurisdictions and therefore regional and international cooperation and coordinated actions is necessary.
Guyana and Venezuela share a border that is approximately 672 kilometers (420 miles) long. There is a vast body of water through which the two countries are connected.
Minister Rohee explained that the monitoring of territories of this size in an era of increasing technological advancement and the acumen of the perpetrators of the trade in illegal drugs would be a challenge for a State that has an abundance of resources much less developing countries such as Guyana and Venezuela which have competing demands.
In recognition of this fact, Presidents Bharrat Jagdeo and Hugo Chavez at a meeting in Caracas in July 2010 came to an agreement that efforts have to be made to enhance and intensify cooperation and coordination between the law enforcement agencies between the two countries.
It is believed that the scourge in the drug trade gives rise to other forms of nefarious activities which include: gun running, kidnapping, murders, and other wanton criminal activities.
It is envisaged that the instruments that will be agreed on to enhance cooperation between Guyana and Venezuela will include assistance in the confiscation of assets of those convicted of the involvement in the trade of illegal drugs, and ensure real time cooperation and coordination between the law enforcement agencies of both countries.
The Minister pointed out that much has been said about Guyana’s implementation of its 2005-2009 National Drug Strategy Master Plan and that many argue that the plan only exists in “the books”.
“I wish to assure every Guyanese that this is not so, of the 36 programmes identified for implementation under the strategy 17 have been concluded, 16 are works in progress and only three have not commenced implementation,” Minister Rohee said.
He added that while it is true that the plan had a duration of five years, however, the implementation of any strategic plan depends on the timely availability of resources.
Last year, significant strides were made with regards to the fight against the drug trade in Guyana. The seizures of cannabis amounted to 191, 877 kilogrammes (Kg) and 537 persons were arrested and charged.
The cocaine seizures on the other hand, amounted to about 72Kg, which resulted in 132 persons being arrested and charged. Additionally, eradication exercises were conducted on 61 cannabis fields (97 acres) with plants weighing a total of 185,221 Kg.
The key elements in the fight against narco-trafficking in Guyana include:
Providing more human and technological resources to the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) and the narcotics branch of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
Continuing enhancement of CANU’s and GPF’s capacity at all legal and illegal ports of entry as well as exit points.
Dismantling all suspected networks at air and sea ports.
Identifying transshipment routes and use appropriate equipment to interdict suspects.
Enhancing maritime intelligence by establishing relevant databases and profiling of vessels.
Using advanced technology to conduct effective raids and searches.
Continuing to work towards more effective networking with foreign counterparts.
Increasing information and intelligence driven operations.
Continuing to upgrade security arrangements at the Cheddi Jagan and Ogle International Airports to stem the outflow of drugs.
And continuing to ensure accountability and transparency in the activities of law enforcement agencies through regular polygraphing.
Minister Rohee said that, “today further action is being taken to ensure that the instruments that we have in place to facilitate the cooperation and coordination is responsive to the present and emerging modus operandi of the operators of the illegal trade as well as their facilitators.”
Both Guyana and Venezuela are aware of the multilateral instruments that can be used to assist the cooperative efforts, but as neighbouring States, direct communication and cooperation are indispensable to those who are involved in trafficking in narcotics.
Morandy in his brief remarks expressed his Government’s satisfaction with regards to the level of cooperation that the two countries are embarking on.
“This meeting is a continuation of the work that has been going on between both countries with the objective of signing an agreement for the suppression of illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs,” he said.
He added that with this agreement, Venezuela is seeking to strengthen the cooperation with Guyana and to advance the regional integration in the fight against the drug trade that causes much harm to both nations.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)