GLDA, MOH to hold health talks with flood-affected residents in Reg. 6
DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, August 12, 2020
A team of medical professionals are expected to visit several flood-affected communities in Corentyne, Region Six, to educate the residents on measures which can be taken to protect themselves from contracting any disease amidst the flood.
Over the weekend, villages along the Corentyne Coast, including communities between Number 52 to 74 villages, were inundated following heavy rainfall.
The area was visited by the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha, and Hon. Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall.
The initial phase of the health lecture was facilitated by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), Dr. Dwight Waldron.
Speaking to the Department of Public Information, Dr. Waldron recalled that during his visit to the affected villages on Sunday last, the residents were briefed on some of the zoonotic diseases that are endemic in Guyana.
“One such disease is leptospirosis,” Waldron emphasised.
As explained, leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals. It is caused by the bacteria of the genus Leptospira.
“What I have seen from the visit; there are pig pens, evidence of rats around and the children were playing in the stagnant water. So, what I was doing is educating the parents on simple measures they can take to protect themselves and their family,” Dr. Waldron added.
He noted that a team from the GLDA, and Ministry of Health, will meet with the residents this week to host more training on several preventative measures.
This community education approach by the new PPP/C Government ensures pertinent information is shared with large numbers of residents so they can take the necessary preventative steps to safeguard themselves and their families.
Note: Zoonotic disease – Diseases that transmitted from animals or insects to humans