ATVs presented to Amerindian Affairs, Local Gov’t Ministries

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony handed over two all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) valued $3M to the Ministries of Amerindian Affairs and Local Government and Regional Development to support the delivery of health services in Regions One and Seven.

The vehicles were procured by the Ministry in partnership with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (The Global Fund) to transport healthcare professionals to outlying communities to tackle communicable diseases.

Minister Anthony presented the vehicles to Minister, the Hon. Pauline Sukhai and Minister within the Local Government Ministry, Hon. Anand Persaud at a simple ceremony held today at his Brickdam office.

Dr. Anthony said providing the vehicles was just the beginning of a robust programme his Ministry is unveiling and will see many developments in the hinterland areas. He also thanked The Global Fund for financing the purchase of the ATVs. The Guyana Global Fund-Country Coordinating Mechanism (GF-CCM) is chaired by Minister Anthony and focuses on three programmes:  malaria, tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS.  The malaria programme is focused more on Barima-Waini (Region One) and Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region Seven) and provides aid to stem the prevalence of the disease.

 “Through the programme and the evaluation that were done, it was determined that we needed to have additional transportation for staff in these two regions. We are pleased that through the Global Fund we were able to provide these two ATVs,” he said.  

Dr. Anthony said the GF-CCM also focuses on training of staff, testing for HIV/AIDS and providing antiretrovirals and other care.

Meanwhile, Director of Vector-Borne Diseases, Mr. Horace Cox reiterated that the Ministry was committed to eliminating malaria and continues to implement its programmes in the regions, particularly mining and logging sites which do not have access to health services.

“We have a mandate to ensure that persons can access the services free of charge and ensure that [we] deliver to the best of our ability. As a result of that we work to ensure that transportation is improved; we do so with ATVs, boats et cetera, working with the different communities ensuring they can access services,” Mr. Cox said.

On receipt of the vehicles both Ministers Sukhai and Persaud extended gratitude to The Global Fund for its support and endeavoured to ensure they are used to provide service to the people.