Radio Bartica – an avenue for health promotion and awareness

DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Health talks and programmes designed for dissemination of health information will soon be aired on Radio Bartica 95.1 FM.

The Bartica radio station has a wide signal reach allowing residents across Region Seven access to timely, accurate and relevant public information.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr, Karen Cummings and Mayor Gifford Marshall, recently met to discuss ways in which this information can be disseminated.  The latter noted that the effectiveness of such an initiative is vital to Bartica achieving a ‘healthy town’ status.

Minister Cummings recommended that the radio programmes should follow a specified pattern which “would grab the listeners’ attention and keep them engaged.” To this end, she extended the assistance of the ministry’s Public Relation Unit. The minister said, “There should be a designated time slot with a presenter, to discuss various topics, have the relevant people go on air and let the people know of their health… Behavioural change is a process so now that you have the radio station, we will work with you to work on your health promotions.”

Mayor Marshall explained that he had written the Regional Health Officer, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Dr. Edward Sagala to collectively draft a work-plan for the radio programme. The content will allow senior health practitioners and other qualified personnel to share pertinent information with the public.

The APNU+AFC administration has been placing much emphasis on a renewed public information system. One where relevant data can be accessed and disseminated to communities throughout Guyana.

 

By: Delicia Haynes

Image by Anil Seelall.