MoPH working to restock PPE regularly

DPI, Guyana, Monday, April 13, 2020

The Public Health Ministry is seeking to ensure that there are adequate stocks of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) particularly for health workers attending to COVID-19 patients.

“We are working closely with the Ministry of Finance and some other donor partners to see how best we can keep those stock levels up,” Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Shamdeo Persaud disclosed.

He noted that the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) along with other major agencies have made remarkable contributions in the fight against the current pandemic.

“Protective gear including hazmat suits which were donated by the Chinese Government during Guyana’s histoplasmosis outbreak (in Matthew’s Ridge) were also repossessed and were distributed equally to the health facilities, the CMO related.

“All the PPE come along with disposable latex gloves which are in good supply now. The Permanent Secretary was able to acquire a reasonable amount,” Dr. Persaud explained during an appearance on the NCN programme COVID-19 Conversations.

He acknowledged the challenges citing that the gear cannot be used extensively and have to be replaced between contact with patients.