Donation of US$4.6M in medical equipment to boost COVID-19 fight

US $4.6M has been donated in medical equipment to assist in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic
in Guyana from Japan, through a partnership initiative with the United Nations Office for Project
Services (UNOPS),
The health ministry on Friday last received a part of the donation of the medical equipment, and
the final portion was handed over on Tuesday. It was pointed out that the equipment would be
distributed across 13 hospitals, and will benefit more than 10,000 people in the surrounding
communities.
It was noted that over the last few months, a number of ambulances, ultrasound scanning
systems, portable x-ray machines and oximeters were donated to the local fight against the
deadly disease. Alejandro Rossi, Director of the UNOPS Multi-Country Office, noted that his
organisation is honoured to be part of an initiative that seeks to upgrade Guyana’s healthcare
sector. “It is an honour for UNOPS, as a member of the United Nations system, to work
alongside the Ministry of Health of Guyana and the Government of Japan towards an effective
response to the pandemic, and the strengthening of national health systems,” Rossi stressed.
Rossi pointed out that when the initiative was first launched, Guyana was ready and willing to
take part, and was the first country to “provide a positive reaction.” Health Minister, Dr. Frank
Anthony, in his address at the Marriott Hotel’s conference room, he expressed gratitude on
behalf of the government and the people of Guyana, for Japan’s commitment to developing the
local health sector.
Dr. Anthony explained that as a result of strong bilateral partnerships and substantial
contributions, Guyana has been able to significantly mitigate the transmission of COVID-19. He
disclosed that in the last 24 hours, a total of 17 new cases were recorded.
Minister Anthony said that of April 5, Guyana had contained the spread of the disease to the
point where there are only 85 active cases, as opposed to the more than 1,000 active cases
Guyana saw in the earlier part of the year. “So, while our healthcare workers put in their due and
have worked in many instances beyond the call of duty, if we did not have the equipment, if we
did not have the medicines, it would have been a challenge to be able to accomplish what we
have accomplished today,” Dr. Anthony said.
Minister Anthony assured stakeholders that the equipment will be put to good use, to ultimately
improve the quality of life of all citizens.