Min. Lawrence visits quarantine centre

DPI, Guyana, Sunday, March 29, 2020

 Minister of Public Health, Hon. Volda Lawrence has emphatically reiterated Government’s commitment to ensuring that every citizen who is currently quarantined receives adequate health care.

Making good on this promise, on Sunday afternoon the Public Health Minister made an impromptu visit to one of the quarantine centres, where she hosted separate discussions with the staff members and residents at the facility.

The centre houses approximately 20 individuals, most of whom travelled home recently from Barbados.

During her engagement with the group, Minister Lawrence iterated that the COVID-19 pandemic is not to be taken casually and it requires the aid of every Guyanese to be contained.

Referring to the negative comments on social media, the Public Health Minister said the intensity of the global epidemic requires full cooperation and should not involve politics.

“The Ministry of Public Health is being led by myself and team and for us, this is about life and death, not politics. This disease does not come and ask you which party you belong to or who you voted for,” Minister Lawrence remarked.

She pointed out the importance of being quarantined, noting that the decision taken by the authorities will benefit both the individuals and their families.

Persons at the institution will be quarantined for 14 days and will undergo a thorough assessment by medical officials at the site. Once no symptoms are detected, the patient will be discharged.

Minister Lawrence said a separate location is prepared for persons who exhibit the signs and symptoms matching COVID-19.

Meanwhile, addressing the employees, Minister Lawrence said it is important for every employee at the quarantine facility to practice social distancing and take all precautionary measures.

“We are here to ensure that when all the rules are laid out you first must follow them and make sure your job is done the correct way.”

Doctor in charge, Terrence George disclosed that the administration is implementing every necessary system to ensure that the residents are comfortable.  He said they have improved the facility since operations commenced there, and daily, new systems are being implemented.

The residents have since expressed their satisfaction with the “improved services” they have received.

Present too during the visit were Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Public Health Collette Adam and Director General (ag) of the CDC, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig.