COVID-19 sensitization for RHOs and ROs
─ Government officials urged to provide correct health precautions
─ refrain from posting inaccurate information on social media
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Today, officials from the Ministry of Public Health held a sensitization session with various government representatives on their preventative plans to combat Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Leading the discussion were members of the Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of Communities and included Mayors, Regional Health Officers (RHOs) and Regional Executive Officers (REO).
Permanent Secretary attached to the Ministry of Public Health Colette Adams told the gathering that this sectorial approach is to ensure the correct delivery of healthcare services in light of COVID-19
“The more knowledgeable you are about a particular matter, you are more likely to make an informed decision to protect all of the people in your communities, homes and loved ones,” she explained.
Adams said the ministry is working assiduously with local and international bodies to manage any COVID-19 cases in the country.
She also urged officials to provide correct health precautions which are outlined by the local ministry and PAHO/WHO and refrain from sharing inaccurate information on social media.
“It is imperative that we, as policymakers, healthcare practitioners, media personnel and concerned citizens assume the responsibility and role to actively prevent and protect all. We are all together in this and so full cooperation is needed.”
It was noted that while the Public Health Ministry has met with the Finance Ministry to work on a budget for future actions, those present at today’s session will also need to take into account monies spent to combat the virus.
Ministry of Communities Permanent Secretary, Emil Mc Garrel reiterated that this approach is one which needs the cooperation of all government officials at all levels.
“We have to do our best to ensure that there is no spike of COVID-19 in the country and that can only be done through providing accurate information,” he said
COVID-19 was first discovered in 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Since then, WHO statistics show that globally, the virus has spread infected more than 184,976 people, with 7,5289 deaths. Thus far, Guyana has four confirmed Coronavirus cases.