‘On the spot’ solutions provided at MoPH booth at outreach
DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Ronella Jervis and Stacia Mentore, residents of the mining town of Linden were brave enough to share with the Department of Public Information (DPI) the particular issues they presented to representatives of the Ministry of Public Health at the most recent government outreach, and how those were addressed.
Ronella, a mother of two has two visually impaired children, who are preparing to write national examinations, the Grades Six and Nine Assessments. Initially, she went to the Ministry of Education’s booth, where she was advised about the examination before being referred to the Ministry of Public Health’s booth.
She explained that the Chief Medical Officer who dealt with her specifically was very interested in her case and helped her to find a solution. “I got a letter to carry directly to the doctor in Linden. What they said first is that I would have to pay for a medical for my children to do the exams but they gave me this letter so that means I don’t have to pay anymore.”
A medical certificate is usually required for children with disabilities when they are to sit national examinations, which comes at a cost to the family.
Meanwhile, Stacia, a nurse at the Linden Hospital Complex went to the ‘Government comes to you” outreach at the Wismar Market Square on April 30, with the initial hope of successfully applying for a house lot at the Central Housing and Planning Authority’s booth. However, while passing by the Public Health booth her interest was piqued and she approached the officials to discuss further training for herself, specifically in the area of Post-Basic Midwifery.
“I want to improve the maternal and post maternal health at the Linden Hospital Complex where I’m currently stationed. I’ve been a nurse for about 12 years and I actually knew about the programme before, so I walked with all of my documents for that too even as I walked also with documents for the house lot,” she told DPI.
The programme for which she signed up for commences in May and Mentore is quite excited about the opportunity to enhance her skills.
Both women noted that the outreach is one which Lindeners were waiting for and were certain that many other persons left with smiles on their faces.
Delicia Haynes
Images: Ameer Sattuar