Health

Shadow Public Health Minister, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran Tuesday criticized government for failing to put sufficient measures in place to tackle the mosquito-borne Zika Virus that scientists believe is responsible for brain deformity in babies in neighbouring Brazil. “Nothing for vector control, that is a sick situation,” quipped Ramsaran, a former Health Minister, during his contribution to the 2016 Budget Debate. ...

Health Minister, Dr. George Norton says he is “disappointed” that the newly-appointed Chairman of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Dr. Noel Blackman has been arrested and charged with illegally issuing prescriptions for a powerful painkiller in New York. Norton said already steps are being taken to replace Blackman as Chairman of the GPHC’s Board.  Sources said Dr. Max Hanoman, ...

As Guyanese authorities seek to push back the Zika Virus, which has so far reportedly infected one Guyanese here, a massive offensive has been launched against mosquitoes in Georgetown and parts of East Coast and East Bank Demerara. The Ministry of Public Health also urged residents to stop harbouring breeding grounds for mosquitoes and ensure that all foods, domestic animals, ...

The Guyana government has launched a multi-sectoral approach to minimize the chances of the mosquito-borne Zika virus from spreading to Guyana, the Ministry of Tourism announced Wednesday. Though not deadly, scientists say the virus has caused pregnant mothers to deliver babies with small or under-developed brains. Scientists also say the virus may be spread by sexual intercourse. Authorities say one Guyanese ...

The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at the Ministry of Public Health Dr Shamdeo Persaud says there is no confirmation regarding an increase in the number of persons being tested positive for HIV/AIDS in Region One among the Warrau Amerindians Dr Persaud in a recent interview with Demerara Waves explained that the Ministry has expanded its facilities to the area and ...

Ahead of parliamentary approval of GYD$350 million in the National Budget for the construction of the Specialty Hospital, Fedders-Lloyd is yet to complete  an assessment of the works done so far at the worksite by another Indian company whose contract has been scrapped. The 2016 estimates of expenditure shows that Guyana government has set aside GYD$350 million for thewhich includes mobilization ...

Demerara Timbers Limited said it has corrected a safety defect to its sawmill and will soon resume operations and reinstate the over 40 workers it was forced to temporarily layoff, the Ministry of Natural Resources said Monday night in a statement This was communicated to officials of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) when they met with DTL personnel on Monday. Changes ...

A serious drug shortage has hit Guyana’s public health sector countrywide because of insufficient funds at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and the incapability of the 10 administrative regions to buy their own supplies after the 2015 National Budget was passed in August last year. This was told Monday to the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) by top ...

Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) Thursday said it is partnering with the Ministry of Health for an immunization exercise which recently resulted in 50 GWI employees being vaccinated against infectious diseases. According to Health and Safety Officer, GWI, Christopher Cathro “following an initiative from our Chief Executive, we have enhanced our health and safety programme to include the immunization of all employees who ...

Non-governmental and religious organisations, government and  United Nations (UN) agencies are now expected to play a major role in helping suicidal persons cope with stress and reduce access to several means by which they could kill themselves, the Ministry of Public Health said Tuesday. The Suicide Emergency Plan, which is in line with Guyana’s 2015-2020 National Suicide Prevention Plan, emerged ...