CDC receives COVID-19 relief donations
– 46,250 rapid test kits, 316,000 surgical masks amongst the medical donations
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, August 6, 2020
Last evening, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) received a large donation of medical supplies to curtail the spread of COVID-19.
The medical equipment was supplied through an arrangement with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the World Health Organisation (WHO), CARICOM, Jack Ma and the United Arab Emirates.
Director-General of the CDC, Lt. Col. Kester Craig stated that the donation will be used to augment the National COVID-19 response efforts in 14 Caribbean countries.
“I must take the opportunity on behalf of the government and citizens of Guyana, to thank those agencies that made this possible. These supplies will be handed over to the Ministry of Public Health and will be distributed as necessary in the fight to reduce the impact of COVID-19,” the Director-General reiterated.
This generous contribution includes 5,730 N95 face masks, 316,600 surgical masks, 46,250 rapid test kits, 200 coveralls and 500 gloves.
Lt. Col. Kester Craig further noted that combatting COVID-19 should be a cooperative and national effort.
“In responding to COVID-19 and any emergency or disaster, it is important for a collaborative response, and we welcome donations and support from all the different stakeholders as we collectively respond to COVID-19.”
Also in attendance was Cicil Jacks, Director of the Materials Management Unit at the Ministry of Public Health, who noted the significance of the donations in the fight against COVID-19.
Jacks stated that the lack of testing hides the true number of cases. “These test kits will allow us to test more persons and help to expose the true rate of infections across the ten regions of Guyana.”
According to the Director, the medical supplies will guarantee the safety of the nation’s health workers.
“With Guyana having less than 5,000 health workers, it is of utmost importance for the Ministry of Public Health to protect our health workers because, without them, we will lose the battle.”