Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 11-10-2021

MONDAY 11th October, 2021

' No.106511

Benn distributes smoke detectors to Tiger Bay residents

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More than $2B spent –– thus far on COVID-19 vaccination efforts

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Prime Minister Mark Phillips and Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal join the congregation in listening attentively to a pandit during a visit to a mandir in New York on Sunday

Half-year earnings for oil exceed US$1B 05 PAGE

Contractors to correct 08 substandard road works in Region 10 PAGE

‘Youth 15 Unfiltered,’ ‘Story Board Project’ to empower girls PAGE

Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 11, 2021

Benn distributes smoke detectors to Tiger Bay residents RESIDENTS of the community of Tiger Bay, Georgetown, received smoke detectors and were privy to a lesson on use of fire extinguishers conducted by the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) as the service attempts to reduce the number of fires through education.

Georgetown was targeted for the distribution exercise as the area is considered to be congested and at high risk of fires due to clustering of some of the houses.

Fire officials took the opportunity to demonstrate how fire extinguishers are used and some of the residents had the

Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn, distributing smoke detectors to some of the residents of Tiger Bay, Georgetown on Sunday during a walkabout exercise The smoke detectors were distributed by Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, along with Chief Fire Officer (ag) Gregory Wickham; Fire Prevention Officer, Sheldon Sauns and other GFS officials during a walkabout in the community.

The Guyana Fire Service, in a press release, said that the service would like citizens to be more aware of fire prevention and safety and has taken the opportunity to educate persons on the use and importance of smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.

The locality of Tiger Bay,

opportunity to participate in the use of the multipurpose dry chemical fire extinguisher to put out simulated fires.

During the walkabout, Minister Benn said that it is his intention to provide members of the Community Policing Groups (CPGs) with the necessary training and access to fire extinguishers so that they may be able to play the role of first responders.

Similar walk-through exercises will be conducted in other communities which are considered to be congested and at high risk of fires.

A rank of the Guyana Fire Service showing a resident of Tiger Bay, Georgetown how to use the fire extinguisher

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 11, 2021

More than $2B already spent on COVID-19 vaccination efforts

AS the novel coronavirus continues its global rampage claiming millions of lives, the Government of Guyana has insisted that it will continue to invest whatever is necessary to safeguard the lives of all Guyanese.

Already, during the first half of the year, more than $2 billion has been spent on expanding the National Vaccination Programme and ensuring that enough COVID-19 vaccines are procured to inoculate every eligible person.

So far, over 40 per cent of the entire population has been fully vaccinated against the deadly virus.

The Ministry of Finance’s Mid-Year report indicated that barring further supply-chain challenges, an additional $2.1 billion could be required to facilitate achieving high levels of immunity within the adult population.

“This vaccination programme alone is anticipated to place an additional call on the Treasury by approximately 0.3 per cent of [the country’s] GDP [Gross Domestic Product],” the report specified.

Additionally, in 2020, the government expended some $16.7 billion on its COVID-19 response. Of that figure, $7.1 billion was related specifically to preparing and further boosting the capacity of the health sector, representing 13.9 per cent of total health sector spending.

“This included outfitting the annex to the GPHC [Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation] in Liliendaal to adequately receive and treat moderate to severe COVID-19 cases,” the report said.

It noted too that during 2021, at least $7 billion was expended on the initial

phases of the COVID-19 cash grant programme which, by the end of it, is expected to see each household benefitting from a one-off grant of $25,000 to help cushion the socio-economic impact of the pandemic.

“Additional sums were expended to procure sanitising agents, personal protective equipment, ventilators, and other necessary equipment and supplies.

Government also received external in-kind support from bilateral partners including China, India, and

also undertaken to procure sufficient quantities of same to ensure stock availability into 2022, at minimum,” the report indicated.

HYPERTENSION AND DIABETES It further outlined that the expenditure pressure to respond to COVID-19 is further complicated by the fact that increased resources had to be directed towards combating Non-Communicable Diseases, since those who

Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony playing his part to ensure that all eligible adults and adolescents are vaccinated Colombia in the form of personal protective equipment, ventilators, and vaccines, among others,” the mid-year report indicated.

The recently released document also pointed to the fact that frontline workers were also afforded risk allowances, while workers continued to receive their on-call allowance. To further supplement the human resource needs, the government also pursued the temporary employment of retired healthcare workers.

“To address the challenge of inadequate drugs and medical supplies, government has

suffer from these chronic ailments, such as diabetes and hypertension, are more likely to develop severe symptoms, should they contract the coronavirus.

The data thus far shows that COVID-19 related deaths are more prevalent in persons who already suffer from hypertension.

As a matter of fact, more than 30 per cent of those who die from the coronavirus are hypertensive.

Similarly, with more than 28 per cent of coronavirus patients who died were those suffering from type-II diabetes.

“As a pre-emptive

strategy to attempt to minimise deaths, government has prioritised intensifying its Non-Communicable Diseases Programme in order to increase screening and treatment of persons with co-morbidities and to promote healthier lifestyles. This will serve to improve the immune responses of citizens to better protect against severe symptoms of COVID-19 and complications arising from comorbidities, should they contract the disease,” the report said.

These measures, it outlined, are in addition to the vaccination programme which encourages specifically, persons with comorbidities, to get vaccinated as an urgent safety precaution.

SAD STATISTICS As it is, 99 per cent of all coronavirus-related deaths are persons who have not been vaccinated.

As unfortunate as the figures may be, it also points to the fact that the vaccines being administered locally are working, and have been efficient in safeguarding the majority of vaccinated persons from hospitalisation and death.

Appearing on a previous edition of ‘Let’s Talk Politics,’ hosted by Michael Gordon, Health Adviser to the Dr. Irfaan Ali-led government, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, related that even though large numbers of persons have already been vaccinated, these figures are not large enough.

This is despite the fact that Guyana is one of the very few countries that have managed to secure enough vaccines for its entire adult and adolescent populations. As a matter of fact, Guyana is also among

Health Adviser Dr. Leslie Ramsammy the very few and fortunate argument, and assist by developing countries that informing “antivaxxers” have commenced the vac- about the need to be vaccicination of its adolescents. nated, and for vaccination, Delving further into the and the role vaccines play local COVID-19 statistics, in ensuring that the world the former health minister be able to safely exit the said that over 95 per cent ongoing pandemic. of all positive COVID-19 “When political leaders cases are persons who support the ‘your body, have not been vaccinated. your choice’, that is reckEven further, Dr. Ram- less, irresponsible and sammy said that data double-speak; we must not shows that 98 per cent of double speak,” Dr. Ramthe people who end up sammy posited, adding: being hospitalised, wheth- “We all must do the right er in wards or within the thing; political leaders Intensive Care Unit (ICU), must not play games.” are persons who are unIt is hoped that once vaccinated. more than 80 per cent “Ninety-nine per cent of the population is imof the people who die are munised, Guyana would unvaccinated,” Dr. Ram- be well on its way to sammy reaffirmed. achieving herd immunity T h e f o r m e r h e a l t h and returning to some minister went further to level of normalcy. implore political leaders, Nonetheless, the report particularly those within said that given the unprethe A Partnership for Na- dictability of the disease’s tional Unity + Alliance For progression, the scale and Change (APNU+AFC), to menu of responses and join in the fight against the related costs remain highly COVID-19 and encourage unpredictable. members of their constitThe document outuencies to get vaccinated. lined that as a result, the Dr. Ramsammy said fiscal deficit of central that while he is happy that government is anticipatthe leadership of the AP- ed to deteriorate, as adNU+AFC has taken their ditional outlays become vaccines, he wants them required to preserve and to desist from encouraging protect the lives of all in the “my body, my choice” Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 11, 2021

Capitalise on job opportunities in oil & gas sector –– Finance Minister urges persons at GYSBI’s career day fair at Uitvlugt

SENIOR Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni K. Singh, on Sunday, urged a gathering at Guyana Shore Base Inc’s (GYSBI) career day fair at the Uitvlugt Community Centre Ground in Region Three to capitalise on the job opportunities available in the oil and gas sector.

Dr. Singh commended the company for arranging the event as well as larger series of career fairs. He noted that the fair provided ample illustration of the job opportunities that had arisen and will continue to arise due to Guyana now being an oil and gas producer.

According to a release, Minister Singh further emphasised that the government would like every Guyanese to be an active participant, in the exciting transformation underway in Guyana, by taking up the thousands of job opportunities that will inevitably arise.

At the event, Minister Singh highlighted the exten-

sive training opportunities being created by government to ensure that Guyanese workers are equipped with skills relevant to the oil and gas sector and other new and emergent economic activities. These include government’s investment in universal primary and secondary education as well as technical and vocational education, along with the GOAL scholarship programme.

The minister also highlighted many aspects of the economic transformation that is expected to take place in Region Three specifically, including private investment in new shorebase facilities, and new industrial activity expected to come on stream with the Wales Development Authority and the landing of the gas to shore project.

He also highlighted government’s plans for investment in infrastructure to improve access and connectivity within Region Three. These include the new Demerara

River Bridge, the new Parika to Schoonord Road, the Parika to Goshen Road, and the new Sand Hills to Makouria road.

Meanwhile, according to the GYSBI, since August 2020, after the company obtained numerous construction permits held in limbo, it has been able to accelerate construction to expand its facilities- with 30 acres of additional space developed and multiple warehouses and operation areas set up to the tune of almost US$50M. Already, this has created 140 new, permanent jobs for Guyanese. GYSBI has about 470 Guyanese on permanent employment.

Over the next six months, GYSBI will be looking to fill some 150 jobs for its next wave of expansion. GYSBI noted that as it develops its Oil & Gas Industrial Park, located

Senior Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni K. Singh, during one of his interactions on his visit to the Guyana Shore Base Inc. career day fair on Sunday strategically across from its shore base, this will become a Centre of Excellence and Opportunity for Guyanese wanting to work in the industry.

GYSBI, competing as a local company, has stated its intention to employ at least 97 per cent local staff for upcoming tenders from the oil and gas operators and

A booth at the Guyana Shore Base Inc. career day fair

Monday, 11 October 09:00hrs - 10:30hrs

major companies to fill out the industrial park.

“90 per cent of GYSBI’s contractors and suppliers are Guyanese, ensuring that

locally generated wealth not only stays in Guyana, but reaches a diverse group of small, medium, and large companies,” the company indicated.

Even as he applauded GYSBI for holding the event, Minister Singh urged the company to consider hosting similar events in all three counties of Guyana, and called on other companies operating in the oil and gas sector and in the broader private sector to conduct similar activities.

Some 320 persons were interviewed on Sunday at Uitvlugt while it is estimated that over 750 persons attended a similar event on Saturday at the Guyana National Stadium. GYSBI is holding a similar event on October 16 at the Enmore Martyrs Monument Ground.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 11, 2021

Half-year earnings from oil exceed US$1B

EVEN as Guyana continues to discover more oil, the country’s petroleum earnings continue to get bigger and bigger.

So much so that by the end of the first half of 2021, exports from the industry surpassed US$1.2 billion.

This marks a significant growth, since the oil earnings for the corresponding period last year stood at only US$438.4 million.

This outturn, according to a recently released midyear report, can be attributed to both an increase in the volume and average export price of crude oil over the review period.

The report outlined too that at the end of the first half of 2021, the average international price of Brent crude oil was 57.6 per cent higher than the average price recorded in the first half of last year, reaching US$65 per barrel.

As oil prices continue to rise even further, Guyana’s petroleum revenues will remain on an upward trajectory. As a matter of fact, the country’s eighth oil lift, slated for November, is positioned to rake in close to US$80 million, as the price of Brent crude continues to hover at $79.00 per barrel.

The projected earnings could rise even further, but if oil prices remain the same when the eighth consignment is lifted, then the country could earn at least US$79,240,000 or G$16.5 billion from its latest sale, making it the most lucrative yet.

A Reuters article said that based on projections, Brent crude could reach $90 per barrel by the end of the year, largely owing to the coronavirus pandemic. If this happens, Guyana’s year-end oil lifts could reach US$90 million, or G$18.8 billion.

It was only in August that Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, announced that Guyana had received payments for its seventh oil lift to the tune of US$79,617,561.87, the largest single oil payment the country has received to date.

In a statement issued then, Bharrat said that the aforementioned payment was for 1,047,820 barrels of oil, which was extracted from the Liza Destiny Float-

ing Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel on July 3, 2021.

The seventh oil lift brought the country’s oil extractions to a grand total of 7,056,262 barrels, and earnings to US$436 million.

Guyana sold its first one million barrels of crude on February 19, 2020, raking in nearly US$55 million.

In its second million-barrel sale, the country received US$35 million, and another

could further skyrocket.

COULD DOUBLE Additionally, with ExxonMobil Guyana and its partners preparing to embark on its largest exploration campaign within the Guyana basin, Guyana’s oil finds could more than double by 2025.

According to a publication by OilNow, ExxonMobil, via its local affiliate Esso Exploration and Production

oil-equivalent barrels.

The latest find at the Cataback-1 well brings the total discoveries within the Stabroek Block to 25, further securing Guyana’s position as home to the third highest oil reserves in the Latin America and Caribbean Region.

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat said in a statement on Thursday that the government, in transforming the hydrocarbons

Liza Unity, the second Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel to be operated in Guyana. It has already been constructed and is currently half the way to Guyana and on schedule to arrive in mid-November, 2021, with an anticipated start-up of production in early 2022.

The Liza Unity FPSO has a capacity of approximately 220,000 barrels of oil per day, which will

Guyana’s oil resources could further double by 2025 (HESS Corp. photo) US$46 million as proceeds from the sale of its third million-barrel of crude, and US$49.3 million from its fourth oil lift.

In early March, Guyana also received US$61,090,968 (approximately G$13 billion) from the sale of the nation’s fifth oil lift. Further, it earned in excess of US$60 million from the sale of its sixth oil lift, and received US$13.9 million in royalties during the first quarter of this year.

It was reported in May that the country’s total revenue is expected to increase by 17 per cent, with earnings in the petroleum sector alone reaching well over US$500 million by the end of this year.

With oil prices on a continuous rise, that figure

Guyana Limited (EEPGL), has already submitted a document outlining its plans to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the expansion of drilling.

In the submission, the company said that Guyana’s oil reserves could more than double its confirmed nine billion plus barrels of oil equivalent, once drilling commences in the Stabroek and Canje Blocks. These heightened exploration efforts are expected to run until December 2025, with the drilling of some 37 wells at the Stabroek Block alone.

It was only last week that ExxonMobil and its partners made yet another lucrative oil discovery within the Stabroek Block, pushing the nation’s petroleum resources well over 10 billion

sector, remains committed to enhancing the exploration and development of Guyana’s oil and gas resources.

The minister further assured that activities within the petroleum sector “will be undertaken in a manner that is in keeping with international best practices for compliance and transparency.”

Additionally, Bharrat said that the Dr. Irfaan Aliled administration will be working continually through consultations to enhance local content with policies and legislation that will create a sustainable development pathway to ensure maximum economic benefits for all Guyanese.

Guyana’s oil-production and extraction operations are expected to increase significantly with arrival of the

supplement the work of the Liza Destiny FPSO, which is currently producing approximately 120,000 barrels of oil per day, facilitating a production of approximately 330,000 barrels of oil per day in 2022.

QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE Speaking last month at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) hosted in the United States, Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo recognised that because of the climate change imperative to decarbonise the world, it was also important that Guyana pursues an aggressive mission of “getting as much oil out of the ground as quickly as possible.”

The former President

reasoned that Guyana has to maximise benefits from the industry and use those benefits to change the lives of every Guyanese. “We don’t know how swiftly we’ll get to a decarbonised world, but we have to make use of this period when there is still demand to get as much as possible out of the ground, and that is why we support the rapid pace of the industry, but it must be done safely,” he related.

On a local radio programme called, “Guyana’s oil and you,” Jagdeo had said, pointedly, that even with the environmental concerns relating to oil production, Guyana does not have the option of leaving the oil in the ground.

To this end, he said, “There are many people saying now that we should not be producing oil.

We don’t have that option in Guyana. Our people badly need development and we have to make sure that we produce the oil and get as much development out of it for our people to invest long term in other sectors, so that they can get wealthier and have a decent life.”

The former Head of State, who has been globally recognised for his efforts to fight climate change, indicated the government’s intention to rely on the advice of experts to ensure that its decision to continue oil production was sound.

“We can’t shut down the industry as some people have been calling for.

We are going to be driven by the technical expertise.

The oil and gas industry will be vital to our future and we have to do it well,” he said.

The Dr. Irfaan Ali-led government has repeatedly pledged to utilise Guyana’s petroleum earnings to transform and modernise a number of non-oil sectors; more importantly, agriculture.

The President has also said on multiple occasions that all measures are being put in place to ensure that Guyana does not fall prey to the dreaded ‘Dutch Disease’, which has brought doom and gloom to many other countries that have been relying solely on their oil revenues.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 11, 2021

Hospice and Palliative Care

WORLD Hospice and Palliative Care Day is an annual day of action to celebrate and support hospice and palliative care around the world.

The day is observed on the second Saturday in the month of October.

The theme of this year’s Hospice and Palliative Care Day is ‘Leave no one behind -- equity in access to palliative care.’ It is a little-known celebration in most countries of the world, due to the fact that it affects a relatively small proportion of the world’s population, in particular those who are terminally ill and are in the final stages of their mortal existence.

Yet, given the uncertainty and unpredictability of life, no can be sure how their final days would look like, and to that extent, we are in some ways vulnerable to the changing fortunes of life.

This is why as a country and as a society we have to show care and concern for those who have, for whatever reason or circumstance, found themselves in a sit-

uation where palliative care is required.

This year’s observances are taking place in an environment of the COVID-19 pandemic which puts our elderly at even greater risk. Age does bring with it all manner of challenges and vulnerabilities, but it is the extent to which our elderly are treated in their ‘sunset’ years by society and family members that really matters.

Sadly, in many countries, enough attention is not being paid to individuals in need of such care and treatment. This is especially so in low and middle-income countries and the idea behind the observances is to shine some light on the inequity in access of such care to a significant number of the world’s population. Like many other countries, Guyana does not have comprehensive hospice and palliative care as part of its healthcare services. The data showed that just around 12 per cent of the global population in need of such assistance is able to access the required care. In

addition, each year 56.8 million people, including 25.7 million in the last year of life, are in need of palliative care, of whom the vast majority live in the developing world.

One significant contributor to the need for hospice care has been the increasing number of persons who are diagnosed with end-stage and chronic cancers and are in dire need of such support.

The global rate of cancer is expected to increase by 75 per cent by 2030, which makes it all the more necessary to create a more robust palliative and hospice infrastructure. The number of new cancer cases in Guyana is expected to increase by a third by 2030.

Guyana already has a national cancer registry and surveillance system to capture patient data, as well as disease trends and patterns. The idea of the registry is to strengthen registration capacities in order to guide effective national cancer-control planning and

decision-making.

As the Guyana economy becomes further consolidated, more resources will be made available to the social sectors, especially education and health.

This includes palliative care and hospice treatment.

The Government of Guyana has committed itself to strengthening and expanding hospice and palliative care as part of its overall healthcare services provided to the Guyanese people.

Indeed, equitable access to safe and quality palliative care for all citizens is a human right and the PPP/C Government has been taking steps to prioritise such care as part of its health strategy for Guyana.

Palliative care refers to specialised medical care for people living with a serious illness such as cancer or heart disease. Such care is intended to enhance a person’s care by focusing on quality of life for them and their family.

Passport offices needed in Regions Two and Seven Dear Editor, THE United Republican Party (URP) is calling for a passport office in Region Two, Pomeroon-Supenaam, and at a feasible time, one for Region Seven, Cuyuni-Mazaruni.

This call comes as a result of numerous complaints and requests by the citizens of these re-

gions, moreso those in Region Two. At present, a majority of the public service offices have been decentralised and regional capacities have been established -- Region Two also being a beneficiary. However, for no clear reason, a passport office was never established in the region.

The URP noted several advantages to having a

passport office in these two regions. One of the most valid reasons being the COVID-19 pandemic which continues to limit our capacity countrywide.

The central passport office in Region Four, Georgetown, has the capacity to handle only 100 applicants per day. Therefore, if one is to travel all the way from the Pomeroon-Supe-

naam region or CuyuniMazaruni region and ends up getting declined, then we will see monies being wasted from the already limited pockets of our brothers and sisters and the mental fatigue will only grow beyond normal.

Also, from a public health perspective, it is always better to limit movements between regions in a pan-

demic.

There are many other reasons which can be mentioned, such as financial strain, mobility, ease of access and ease of conducting business.

The URP urges the current administration to please assist the tax-paying citizens of these two regions. We must ensure the comfort of our people

and we must try to understand their plea from their point of view.

We are hopeful to have these offices accommodated within the new budgetary year, or if possible, before the end of 2021.

Yours sincerely, The United Republican Party

Tribute to Gokarn Ramdhani Dear Editor, IT was with a deep sense of shock and disbelief that I woke up to the tragic news that my dear friend and colleague in sports,

Gokarn Ramdhani, has died in Alberta, Canada.

Gokarn was the long-serving President of the Guyana Badminton Federation and an active Council member of the Guyana

Olympic Association. He served as chef-de-mission for us on more than one occasion and could have been relied upon to complete any task that he undertook.

His competence and ability

were recognised not only in Guyana, but internationally, as he served as an executive member of his sports body and was employed as the Badminton coach at a university in Alberta.

I would like to express to his dear wife and two children the sincere condolences of myself and all the members of the Guyana Olympic Association.

His effervescent per-

sonality will be truly missed.

Yours sincerely, K.A. Juman-Yassin President Guyana Olympic Association

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 11, 2021

Persons urged to join Medex profession as it celebrates 44 years – public healthcare system currently has 62

By Tamica Garnett

FOR many hinterland and riverine communities that are starved of vital healthcare workers because they are too sparsely populated for there to be permanent physicians, a medex, at times, can be the difference between life and death for those residents.

Introduced in Guyana in 1977, this month the profession celebrates 44 years of existence.

Short for Medical Extension, the medex profession is a version of the physician’s assistant programme that was created in 1968 by global health leader, and former Deputy Director of the Peace Corps, Dr. Richard Smith. He had created the programme at the University of Washington before developing similar programmes at seven other US universities.

The programme was eventually rolled out worldwide, particularly in developing countries with medically underserved areas. Though they are not doctors, medex are mid-level medical professionals given some amount of training in nursing and medicine and can handle most of the basic and routine care provided by physicians.

“The medex is like [an] all-rounder. it’s a mixture of nursing and medicine. It’s kind of an in-between programme,” said Coordinator of the Medex Training Programme, Sarah Daniels, who has been in the profession for over 13 years.

She shared her experiences and spoke about some of the challenges those in the profession are encountering, during a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

While she is proud of how far the profession has come, Daniels believes that it is not given the kind of recognition deserving of the level of work and dedication that these “selfless” individuals give.

“Sometimes it’s like we don’t exist even though we have some very, very good medex out there. I have been to facilities around Guyana and, looking at some of the conditions we have to work with, we really try to put our all out there but we are not recognised,” she noted.

Though there are only 62 practising medex in the public healthcare system today, they play a vital role and help to fill a crucial void in the public healthcare systems in remote communities.

“In those facilities you have limited resources and not enough personnel. So, you have to work the best way possible that you could with the situations that arise,” she said.

“I recall one time, while working in Leguan, I treated a teenager who got a fishing hook caught through his lip.

Another time a guy came with alligator bites, with huge lacerations and you had to make your best assessment. But working in those areas helps one to build more confidence and learn to make informed decisions,” Daniels added.

In recalling some of the experiences that have aided her professional growth, she said she was exposed to a lot and worked in many communities across the country.

“Being a medex I had the chance to work in all parts of the country in different capacities and I considered it an honour to work out there

medex programme. However, with the current shortage of midwifes in the public healthcare system, interested individuals can alternatively do a four-year programme which requires at least five CSEC subjects to qualify for entry.

This programme involves one year of training in nursing, one year of training in midwifery, and two years of training in clinical medicine. At the end, graduates are awarded an Associate Degree in Medex, with the programme affiliated to the Coordinator of the Medex Training Programme, Sarah Daniels with my people, see how they live the different lifestyles and cultures,” she told this publication.

Originally from Vergenoegen in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Daniels was already a midwife when she commenced training to become a medex. A love for patients was what led her in that direction.

Daniel’s face lit up as she spoke about her passion and love for the profession.

“I like clinical medicine, dealing with patients, and elderly people. One of the greatest things you can do is talk and sit with your patients rather than just write them a prescription and not paying much attention to how they are feeling. It brings joy to learn about them and they decide to trust you so much,” she said.

In Guyana, one can become a medex by first qualifying as a midwife and then undertaking an 18-month

AFC National Conference postponed THE National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Alliance For Change (AFC) on Sunday unanimously agreed to defer its National Conference until a date after March 2022, claiming that COVID-19 was the reason for its decision.

According to a release, the party is hoping that by then, Guyana would

have a better control of COVID-19.

The AFC also said that the NEC was updated on attempts to resolve outstanding issues regarding the Cummingsburg Accord and appointed a select team to make recommendations to the executive regarding the best positioning of the party in the evolving political atmosphere.

The brief statement from the AFC concluded by noting that the party renewed its call for members of the public to be vaccinated and to always observe the COVID-19 guidelines.

University of Guyana.

The training programme is free of cost; however, it is offered only through the Ministry of Health and graduates are required to serve in the public healthcare system for at least five years after graduating.

This month a new batch of 35 students will be entering the programme, while there are also some 29 students currently in training.

According to Daniels, the current number does not meet the demand needed across Guyana.

“I don’t think we have enough or will ever have enough because as we train more people, others are retiring, migrating and upgrading so we will always have a shortage,” she said.

Though expansion of the programme has been curtailed due to limited facilities, Daniels looks forward to the day when facilities are available and the programme can be upgraded to a degree programme so that graduates would have avenues to further their education.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 11, 2021

Fire Service developing new action plan to boost efficiency

By Jared Liddell

AFTER receiving much criticism for its response to the recent fire at the Brickdam Police Station, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) is currently working on a new action plan to improve its performance at fire scenes.

This is according to acting Fire Chief Gregory Wickham, who also disclosed at a press conference held on Thursday that training exercises and preventive measures to reduce the causes of fires will be included in the plan.

He disclosed that as part of the preventive aspect, firefighters have already been deployed to several highrise buildings and business places along Regent and Robb Streets, to conduct inspections.

For this year, the GFS has so far responded to 832 fire calls, a 43% decrease from the 1,469 fire calls that were made for the same period in 2020.

Wickham noted that in addition to reducing the number of fires, the fire service has been working assiduously to improve its fire-fighting strategy to keep citizens safe.

“No two fires are the same and that’s a known and therefore the fire service always has to be able to improve on its fire-fighting strategy.

We have a mandate to ensure that we protect life and property from destruction by fire under the Fire Service Act and the Fire Prevention Act and so we’re following closely to that to ensure that we do as the laws of Guyana would have given us the right to

do, to ensure that the members in our community are safe and protected,” Wickham stated.

RESOURCES The acting Fire Chief said that proper utilisation of resources provided to the GFS by government will also be a part of the new plan.

He acknowledged that government over the years has spent millions of dollars to ensure that the fire service is “kitted out” with the right tools, equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE).

During the Brickdam station fire, the service was censured for its underutilistation of equipment and the PPEs, which was said to have hindered the efficiency of firefighters on the ground.

“Yes, the Fire Service

realises that at that fire specifically there are highs and low points that we need to improve on and so we would have taken the necessary steps to ensure that we improve our performance because we are confident.

We know that we have the support when it comes to the equipment and the tools for us to perform our tasks and our duties. So, whatever would have caused the low points at that fire, we would have looked at it, we would have had discussions and we have put plans in place to prevent such recurrences,” Wickham added.

Noting that the fire service always uses the best tactics when extinguishing a fire, he said: “Whatever the firefighters [did] on that given day, whatever action they would have taken, we believe it was the best decision.”

He pointed out that in many instances uncontrollable circumstances such as wind, play a major role in negating the efforts of the fire service.

“The thing about fire is that in some cases it may look as though you’re having an advantage and then you can have that sudden change because of so many other circumstances like I alluded, like wind; the direction of wind, the change of wind, and then the materials that are on fire that would lend to rapid combustion.

So, there’s [sic] a number of things that have to be put into consideration when we are thinking about fire-fighting,” Wickham stated.

PRANK CALLS Meanwhile, he told the media that even though the

Acting Fire Chief Gregory Wickham GFS has been receiving an increasing number of prank calls over the past few days, fire officials are still following the rule that states, “when in doubt, turn out.”

This is being done to ensure that ranks are deployed in every instance to provide protection if necessary.

He added that there are systems that allow the GFS to trace this type of call and prosecute any person found making a prank call.

“It is very clear.

Once persons are found to be making pranks in the fire department, they will be taken before the court,” he said.

Contractors to correct substandard road works in Region 10

By Naomi Parris THE Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region 10 has flagged several local contractors for substandard works on a number of completed and ongoing infrastructural projects and road works in the region.

This was done during a rollout of an inspection exercise led by the Regional Chairman, Deron Adams

last week.

Adams, during an update on Sunday, told the Guyana Chronicle that contractors have since been called out for their negligence and the Regional Administration has since demanded that at least one contractor resurface a road that was poorly done in Rainbow City, Mackenzie.

“We are going to only accept quality roads;

Regional Chairman, Deron Adams conducting inspection on a recently completed road in Mackenzie

roads made with asphaltic concrete and we have also proposed that those roads have accompanying drains,” Adams said during a telephone interview.

According to the Chairman, during the inspection exercise, it was revealed that contractors were rebuilding roads without drainage mechanism in place, leaving many residents experiencing floods when it rains.

“What we noticed when we got into office was that contractors were doing roads where water had no way of draining off and drainage became an issue.”

He noted that the administration will be holding contractors accountable for substandard works and blacklisting them.

“I don’t want take money out of anybody’s pocket or anything but we cannot have contractors coming and doing substandard work,” he said, adding: “All we are asking for is high quality work; if contractors perform, we will have high quality work.”

Additionally, to prop-

Chairman of the Public Works Committee, Councillor Eleze Benjamin-Hall, raises concerns with the contractor doing a drainage project (RDC photo) erly manage ongoing works in the region, the Chairman said that at the last statutory meeting held, councillors were charged with conducting regular inspections across the region.

“I would have mandated councillors to be in the field, we have asked Works Department to be more responsible in managing works that have been assigned to contrac-

tors and to ensure that we have satisfactory work and that our roads are built to a high standard.”

The regional chairman further disclosed that several projects have also been flagged due to contractors not having proper equipment to execute works in their respective contracts.

“Right now, we have contractors lying, saying that they have equipment

and we had to flag a project where the RDC equipment was being used.”

Out of the $4.7 B budget for 2021, a total of $550M was allocated for infrastructural works in the region; however, according to Adams, the substandard works that have since been done has seen only 50 per cent of the infrastructural projects for the year being completed.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 11, 2021

Optimism, meaningful projects ease mental health issues –– Human Services and Social Security Minister

THE Human Services and Social Security Ministry in taking note of the damaging effects COVID-19 has been having on people’s mental health, has used the occasion of World Mental Health Day to emphasise the need for being optimistic and taking on new, meaningful projects.

As the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security joins the rest of the world in raising awareness of mental health, observed on Sunday, it has also been working to rally practical support measures

for sufferers.

Subject Minister Dr. Vindhya Persaud, said: “Our mental health determines our state of well-being and our ability to function optimally, cope with challenges, and make everyday life choices and decisions. It is critical that conversations around mental health not remain taboo and people seeking help to alleviate mental health illnesses not be stigmatised. The COVID-19 pandemic stressors have increased the numbers of persons seeking treatment for mental health issues.

It is imperative that every person can access that help and not be disparaged.”

The pressures of everyday life can have an overwhelming effect and thus lead to frustration in some persons, causing them to develop a pessimistic outlook on life. The ministry is urging persons who are struggling with mental health issues to cultivate optimism, described as “hopefulness and confidence about the future or the success of something.”

The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) has observed that

the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the mental health situation in the Americas, “increasing new cases of mental health conditions and worsening pre-existing ones.”

It has also produced significant disruptions to services for mental, neurological and substance use disorders, PAHO noted, in light of World Mental Health Day 2021 that is being observed under the theme, “Mental Health in an Unequal World.”

Doctors the world over concur that being optimistic positively impacts health

and well-being. The Mayo Clinic lists the following health benefits that positive thinking may provide: increased life span; lower rates of depression; lower levels of distress; greater resistance to the common cold; better psychological and physical well-being; better cardiovascular health and reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease, and better coping skills during hardships and times of stress.

Doing something new and keeping the mind and brain occupied also works wonders when it comes

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Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud to managing stress during the pandemic. In this context, hundreds have been signing up for the ministry’s Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) programme, to which men are also welcome to be trained in a number of skills areas.

A brainchild of Dr. Persaud, WIIN encourages persons who are unemployed and at home doing nothing to make effective use of their time in learning something new, and even receiving a certificate upon completion of the course.

Surviving domestic violence

By Vanessa Cort THERE is hardly a week that goes by in this country without a report of domestic violence hitting the news. Often the stories depict extreme violence and sometimes end with the death of the victim.

Although there are isolated cases of men being physically abused, victims are generally women and statistics tell us that most of the women who die in their own homes do so at the hands of abusive partners.

It comes as no surprise, therefore, when a mental health expert announced recently that since the start of COVID-19 pandemic, domestic violence has been on the rise. Men feel pressured and take out their frustrations on their mates.

And the subject gained international attention just a month ago when it was revealed that Alexander Zverev, the Russian semi-finalist in the US Open tennis tournament, was being investigated for allegations of psychological and physical abuse.

In a series of statements,

his girlfriend and former tennis star, Olga Sharypova, ending her silence, told of the years of torment and pain she suffered during their relationship and of her many failed attempts to leave.

Her harrowing tale took me back to the days when I too was in abusive relationships. Yes, there was more than one. I have re-lived these memories over the years and still find myself wondering why.

I got involved with a man who was violent and still married him. I somehow thought that after we got married things would change, that marriage would bring stability to our relationship. I was wrong. The abuse continued and got worse over the years.

I was constantly ‘on the run’, leaving my home at all hours to escape the onslaught. He would eventually find me and I allowed myself to be persuaded to return home.

By the time I had children it was more difficult to get away because I then had to consider who would take me in with one and later two children – a toddler and the

(New Jersey State Nurses Association photo) other just a baby. A work- to do so. ing mother, I also worried However, after years of about who would take care an unending circle of abuse, of my children while I was when things would get better at work and whether I could for a while, then the violence even afford to pay someone would return worse than be-

fore, I finally drummed up the courage to get a divorce.

I could no longer ignore the fact that, along with me, my children were at risk.

Years later, after two more abusive relationships, the last one leaving me blind in one eye, I began to ask, ‘What is wrong with me?’ It seems I had learned nothing from my failed marriage.

Looking back, I can see how my self-confidence was eroded and how I actually began to think that I was somehow responsible for the beatings. During the most abusive relationship and before the damage to my eye, I was repeatedly told that I brought about the violence because of my ‘hot mouth’.

I vividly remember my last child (his daughter) now 23 years old, getting in between us and shouting, “Mummy don’t answer him!” On more than one occasion when I was knocked to the ground she would try to cover my body with hers, put her hand over my mouth and tearfully beg me to be quiet.

I left more times than I care to remember but kept on going back, wooed by the

promises that it would never happen again and the thought of the many years we had already spent together.

But the abuse did not stop and it took the loss of vision in my left eye, caused by a blow, for me to finally decide that I had suffered enough. I also had to face the fact that my daughter was an innocent witness to all this unspeakable violence and would often exhibit nervousness and agitation the moment she sensed an argument brewing.

And there are days now where I berate myself for not staying away and grieve the loss of vision in my left eye. But even at times like this I still cannot quite believe that all of this happened to me and that I allowed it to happen.

The scars, both visible and invisible, remain so many years later along with the burning question, ‘Why’? I do not have the answer and next week turn to the experts to shed some light on this cycle of abuse which has enmeshed couples from all walks of life and plagued societies the world over, and which is apparently getting worse.

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Hundreds in Orealla, Siparuta benefit from medical outreach

HUNDREDS of residents of the indigenous communities of Orealla and Siparuta, Region Six, on Thursday and Friday, benefitted from a medical Outreach led by Director-General of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo and a team of 13 medical personnel.

The team included dental surgeons, optometrist, dermatologist, general practitioners and an ultrasound technician, who is a member of the Cuban Medical Brigade and a nurse specialising in Visual Inspection

with Acetic Acid (VIA) screening.

“It is the mandate of His Excellency, President Irfaan Ali that we take health care to the people. He spoke about equal and equitable access to health care and we know that for persons in these areas it’s more difficult. The highest level of care in this area is a health centre. Of course, we have a doctor who is based here,” Dr. Mahadeo told the Department of Public Information (DPI).

The dental team conducted more than 250 dental

procedures on more than 150 persons.

Dr. Mahadeo noted that these procedures include things that were never done before in the communities, “things like the root canal and doing other interventions that were never done before here. The head of the Cheddi Jagan Dental Centre himself was here, Dr. Sullivan, and he has been leading this team, so we had literally three chairs working at the same time and this is why we would have achieved this much in the two days.”

Almost 50 ultrasounds

Some of the persons who were attended to at the medical outreach in Orealla

were done on persons, including the elderly and pregnant, while 55 persons saw the dermatologist, 31 persons did VIA Screening, with others accessing general services.

“In all the cases like in the case of optometry, we are making a list of those cases that would need intervention, so we are talking about the pterygiums, talking about the cataracts, we are talking about the glaucoma that might need surgical intervention or other interventions and this list we will be working on; so we are hopefully going to be able to take these persons out to get it done if it cannot be done here,” Dr Mahadeo said.

HAND-WASHING Dr. Latoya Dyal, the dermatologist, noted that most of the skin conditions were in children.

“The ‘hand, foot and mouth’ disease is an infectious disease, so I was advising the nurses and so on to speak to the community leaders to encourage hand-washing among the

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 11, 2021

A resident benefitting from the medical outreach on Thursday smaller children to prevent this type of disease. As for the fungal infections, those are due to sweating and, in this community, persons do a lot of farming which causes them to sweat a lot, so even though I give the advice would have been better to avoid getting too sweaty and avoid keeping the skin too damp,” Dr. Dyal said.

Patients who accessed the medical services are grateful for the opportunity.

Glennis Valenzuela, who benefitted from VIA screening, said, “I’m really glad that the doctor came till in Siparuta to do this VIA, I’m so glad because it’s so much money fuh go out fuh do it.”

Jasodra Yhapp-Wong also benefitted from VIA services. “I really feel happy about this because in our community, there are lots of women. The first thing that we notice they are having the sickness right; them deh so bad and some of them are dying with it, so I’m so happy today and I am proud that this doctor come and them could do this test for us, and I also do it because I am happy to make sure that our body is safe and perfect health.”

“I’m very thankful for our present President, what he has promised us that he is doing here today. I am very thankful for the team, Dr. Mahadeo and team because they always promise to do their best for the people everywhere in this country, so I’m very thankful for this team,” said Maurice Henry, a resident of Siparuta.

“For a very long time we didn’t get outreach like this and it is very important for our people in our village because many times we have to travel out to go to new Amsterdam for treatment for all kinds of things like eyes and so and sometimes we don’t even have money, and emergency cases it’s really difficult but we thank god so much that the team is here,” said Gwendolyn Baptiste.

BIG HELP Nadira Christmas was one of 43 persons who accessed the ultrasound service.

“We don’t really often get the boat to go out or if we travel with the boat we have to take a day or a night to reach out, and then we going to the Skeldon Hospital, then we get transfer to the new Amsterdam Hospital and it’s very difficult for us and then we have to come back and go back, and I want to say thank you so much.”

Debra Alpin was referred for further medical treatment out of the village.

“There are a lot of us that are sick and it is difficult at times for us to go out there like New Amsterdam and it’s all because of the transportation also, because right now we don’t have like transportation to take us out when we are sick, unless it’s an emergency then we go out with the ambulance, so I’m very happy for this outreach here,” she said.

Gail Henry, another resident, related that “The outreach comes at a critical time that we need this health service the most because due to the COVID situation most of the residents here don’t have the opportunity to go out that often, especially to deal with only one issue; only if they have other business to take care of they will make one trip out on the coast to do everything altogether. So, it’s really nice that the Ministry of Health can have a medical team to come up here in Orealla to provide all these services.”

Head of the Cuban Medical Brigade, Dr. Ruiz Arcia Ineldo was also part of the visiting team and expressed his gratitude for being afforded the opportunity to provide specialised care to the Guyanese population.

Dr. Mahadeo also visited bedridden and elderly people in the communities to ensure that they too benefitted from the medical outreach.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 11, 2021

Food security and water security go hand in hand FOOD security can only be achieved together with water security, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu, said, calling for proactive action to improve integrated water management while boosting the quality of life and livelihoods.

The Director-General spoke at a high-level launch of the report, “2021 State of Climate Services: Water” led

by World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) featuring inputs from FAO experts.

The new study explores the progress made by countries in using climate services to address water-related challenges. It highlights the gaps

help enhance the performance of water systems in the face of the climate crisis, including improved water management; policies and institutional capacities; as well as increased investments in integrated water resources management, especially in Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries.

The Director-General also pointed to the need to fill knowledge gaps on climate services in the water sector.

In conclusion, Qu reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to strengthen its work with WMO and other partners to increase the resilience of rural communities for water security and food security in the future.

Kenyan pastoralist Nkiniwa Ledupa Piroris walks with his cows while visiting a water point in the Mukogodo Forest (FAO photo) in user engagement, forecasting, observing networks, and data collection that still exist.

“Staple food production in many agri-food based countries remains largely rain-fed and fragile against fluctuations from weather and climate variability,” the Director-General said, noting that the COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed vulnerabilities, especially of rural communities.

FAO estimates that high or very high-water shortage or scarcity currently impacts around 3.2 billion rural people with one-sixth of the world’s population living in severely water-constrained agricultural areas. In addition, more than 170 million hectares -- that is, over 60 per cent of irrigated croplands -- are subject to high water stress.

Speaking about the negative impacts that water scarcity and flooding have on food security in rural areas and on socio-economic conditions, the Director-General highlighted the importance of effective water-management approaches to adapt agri-food systems to extreme hydro-climatological events.

He lauded the report for its clear recommendations to improve the implementation and effectiveness of climate services for water worldwide.

In his remarks, Qu cited three key factors that will

FAO’s joint work with the WMO in the framework of the UN-Water Integrated Monitoring Initiative for SDG Six on clean water and sanitation provides high-quality data for evidence-based policy-making, regulations, planning, decisions and investments at all levels.

FAO’s new Strategic Framework 2022-2031 also reflects its commitment to strengthen the contribution of agri-food systems to reducing the impacts of the climate crisis. The organisation is scaling up early-warning systems for early action to advance knowledge and promote innovation, moving from risk mitigation to transformative change, through improved water management. One of these innovations is FAO’s WaPOR programme that monitors crop production and crop water use by satellite remote sensing.

The launch event also saw the participation of Petteri Taalas, Secretary-General of WMO, and Gilbert F. Houngbo, Chair of UN-Water and President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) as well as hundreds of stakeholders engaged in implementing or supporting the application of climate services for effective adaptation in the water sector. (FAO)

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Scenes from Prime Minister Mark Ph

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hillips and his delegation’s visit to US

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A Family Man

TWO men in their fifties sat talking about their families. The first one said, “I admire how your children have stuck with their partners, and all seem to have comfortable lifestyles; three of my four children have different ‘baby fathers’, broken homes or messed up relationships. It makes me wonder where I went wrong”.

His friend replied, ‘Don’t beat yourself up over the choices your children made.

Yes, we want the best for them, but all we can do is steer them in the right direction and hope they learn from our positive input and guidance. With my children, I put my foot down early because my father was a womaniser’.

‘How you mean?’ The first man asked, ‘How did that make you put your foot down?’. His friend continued. “Well, my father put my mother through emotional

turmoil with his deceitful antics. He had several ‘woman friends’ besides mum. If he wanted to be a ‘sweet man’, he should have stayed a ‘sweet man’. He shouldn’t have taken a wife and start a family. It’s either one or the other. That type of behaviour ruins family life and affects children more than you can imagine.

I would never give my wife reason to cry over my behaviour the way my mother cried over him. I made up my mind early to be a one-woman man, which brings me to my children. A lot of their upbringing was trial and error. It took us a while to find the best way to instil values, especially when they became teenagers.

They listen to friends more than parents, at this stage and they think they know it all. Adolescence was a crucial time where we needed to have the greatest influence.

We sat them down one day

and made our expectations clear. They were to choose a career and complete their education before they even thought of having a serious or sexual relationship. And, as old-fashioned as it may seem, we insisted we meet anyone they liked before they became sexually involved.

My wife was more specific. She told them at least six months of courting, meeting and interacting with parents must precede any sexual involvement. When my daughter brought home a young man she liked, my wife asked him his plans for the next five years? Within a year, he came to ask our permission to marry our girl, and it was granted.

By then, we had a pretty good idea of the type of son-in-law, husband and father he would be.

It was the same thing with the boys; we met their partners while they were courting and….’ His friend interrupted.

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‘That could be where I missed out; I didn’t speak to my kids about that part at all; in fact, I’m not even sure when they became sexually active.

I tried not to dwell on those things; you know, talking to them about sex and contraceptives; boyfriend and girlfriend. I left it to their mother. I did my part, paying the mortgage and looking out for them - they had everything. But it all happened so quickly. One minute they were small, the next they were big children, all of them taller than me.

Three of my girls got pregnant before I met their baby fathers and when I did meet them, I was far from impressed. Being a grandfather is a nice feeling, but those children need more than my daughters alone can give them.

Out of the three, only one is still with the father, and he’s a waste of space, I tell you. He can’t help himself, much less support a woman and child…’

‘Exactly my point’, his friend interjected, ‘Unless a man is prepared to care and support

his family, he has no right impregnating a woman.

There are many ways he can have a ‘good time’ without making children or committing to a marriage and family life while still playing the field. Children are not playthings. They need a mother’s and father’s commitment.

They need parents who will sit them down and tell them, A, B, C, so they know that we care. I made sure my lot had a sense of pride and self-worth – no one can take advantage of them.

You see that disregard my father showed for his marriage, my sibling and me? It showed me how ‘not’ to be. It also proved he had no plan or sense of direction - for himself or us. Why he got married and put us through all that is beyond me. Men should be honest about their intentions before they get into emotional and physical relationships’.

‘I hear you’, his friend replied. ‘They should, but youngsters nowadays have no time; they don’t think like that. Take my youngest; she has a thing for handsome

men, nothing about values; once the man’s looking nice, she’s ready to get involved.

Then there’s a whole rigmarole with my eldest and her two children’s uninvolved fathers…’.

His friend got up to leave, and he rose also. In conclusion, the second man said.

‘The way I see it, if you can’t see yourself spending your life with a person, then don’t have unprotected sex or pretend you love them, be open and honest. And children?

- give them aspirations and teach them self-respect. Let them feel precious and loved; that’s what we did’. The two men walked away together, and the first one said. ‘Now I know my friend, now I know’.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF HUMAN SERVICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY

GUYANA CHRONICLE, MONDAY OCTOBER 11, 2021

‘Youth Unfiltered,’ ‘Story Board Project’ to empower girls

Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud MINISTER of Human young women’s well-being. A Services and Social Securi- series of inspirational books ty, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, in is intended to be published an effort to empower girls over time. Each girl in the and amplify their voices, programme will be tutored will be launching “The Sto- for six weeks and will be proryBoard Initiative” and a vided with a creative survival special edition of “Youth kit which includes a tablet, Unfiltered” as the ministry hygiene products, toiletries, joins the rest of the world stationery supplies and a in observing International backpack to motivate and Day of the Girl Child. support them. Teachers and The day, observed annu- journalists will be partnering ally on October 11, is used for with the Ministry of Human recognising the importance, Services in the pilot proinfluence, and budding talents gramme, intended to be rolled of girls and to also promote out countrywide next year. the opening up of more opDr. Persaud believes that portunities for them. The ‘Youth Unfiltered’, a prooccasion is also designed gramme featuring young into raise awareness of gen- fluencers who will discuss der-based issues such as the timely topics on the minisdigital divide, poor learning try’s social media platforms, opportunities, violence and will help to ignite health disexploitation of girls. cussions among girls across “Girls in our country must the country, heightening be actively involved in the awareness of their challengconversations about their es and proposing solutions, welfare and future and be giv- as well as offering profiles of en the enabling environments girls who have surmounted in all spheres to develop their hurdles and succeeded. potentials. It must be our In her recently mission to equip a formidable launched Women’s Ingeneration of girls with the novation and Investment every tool to make the archi- Network (WIIN) protects of world for tomorrow’s gramme, a practical, skills women.” Minister Vindhya training programme for Persaud declared. women and girls, Dr. Per“The StoryBoard Initia- saud has included courses tive” to be launched by Min- on information technoloister Persaud was conceptu- gy, garment construction, alised during a conversation graphic designing, vidwith one her team members, eo editing, photography, Anuradha Persaud. This es- and interior decorating pouses the idea of imparting as a tangible solution to creative writing skills, along bridging the digital divide with functional literacy, to as captured in the theme develop storyboards written of this year’s celebration by girls who had difficult “Digital generation. Our lives and surmounted those generation.” She is cognichallenges. sant of the heavy depenThese inspirational sto- dence of this generation on ries will be published and digital technology to conthe proceeds used for these nect, learn and network.

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The ‘Gypsy King’ beats down Wilder (BBC) - Tyson Fury delivered a thrilling 11thround knockout of Deontay Wilder to retain his WBC heavyweight crown as their trilogy bout produced another classic on an electric night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Twenty months since Fury dethroned the American, the 33-year-old had to show all his resolve and

Fury celebrates in the ring with his belt and his entourage, including wife Paris resilience to extend his Fury of his opponent, who mering throughout fight boxer was buoyed by the undefeated professional was taken to hospital as a week and only continued thousands of UK fans who record to 32 fights after precaution after the fight. to bubble as Wilder’s de- had flooded to Las Vegas twice being floored in the “It was a great fight. I layed entrance left the arena to support their charge, fourth round. will not make any excuses. waiting, before the lights although travel restrictions Fury sent his opponent Wilder is a top fighter, he finally went down and the meant there was never gosprawling in an explosive gave me a run for my mon- American, who listed his ing to be the boisterous third only to see Wilder ey. I always say I am the elaborate and heavy ring- following for the British recover, and the Briton best fighter in the world and walk outfit as one of the hopeful this time. found himself on the end of he is the second best. excuses for his loss to Fury But the local support the Bronze Bomber’s huge “Don’t ever doubt me. last year, emerged in a more could not help but be right hand twice in quick When the chips are down I understated fur-lined gown. wowed by Fury once more succession. can always delivery.

But what’s a few min- as he again proved that, Wilder was hanging on Fury shows he is nev- utes when a classic tussle despite finding himself on by the end of the seventh er beaten is more than a year in the the canvas, you can never but was still in a gruelling This might not have making? write this man off. fight come the 10th, when been the fight Fury wanted Fury, dressed as a RoWilder came out lookFury knocked him down but, after a controversial man centurion, followed ing to dictate from the once more, before deliv- draw in their first meeting to a backdrop of AC/DC as opening bell with a seering the final blow in the in 2018 and seventh-round both fighters stepped inside ries of jabs to the body 11th to bring this particular stoppage from Fury last the ropes for the first time as Fury took his time to chapter of heavyweight time out, it again deliv- since their explosive meet- size up a remodelled opboxing to a close. ered the blockbuster battle ing at the MGM Grand in ponent, one new trainer “I was down a couple the Las Vegas crowd was February 2020.

Malik Scott says has more of times, I was hurt. Wilder craving.

That was pre-pandemic in his toolbox than previis a strong puncher,” said Tensions had been sim- and the Morecambe-based ously shown.

France wins Nations League (BBC) - Kylian Mbappe fired a contentious winner as France came from behind to beat Spain and become the second team to win the Nations League.

Mbappe was adjudged to be onside when he slid the ball under Unai Simon after Karim Benzema’s stunning equaliser at Milan’s San Siro.

Spain had taken the lead through Mikel Oyarzabal, who shrugged off defender

Dayot Upamecano to beat Hugo Lloris.

Lloris produced two late saves to ensure victory for the world champions.

He first denied Oyarzabal before acrobatically keeping out Yeremi Pino’s effort in stoppage time, as France became the competition’s second winners after Portugal in 2019.

But Mbappe’s winner will prove to be a moment of debate, with the goal standing even though the

Paris St-Germain striker was in an offside position when Theo Hernandez played the initial through ball.

Spain defender Eric Garcia touched the ball in his attempt to clear the danger before it came to Mbappe, and the rules state “a player in an offside position receiving the ball from an opponent who deliberately plays the ball... is not considered to have gained an advantage”.

Meanwhile Italy withstood a late Belgium fightback to return to winning ways and claim third in the Nations League.

Nicolo Barella opened the scoring with a crisp volley a minute after the interval in Turin before Domenico Berardi scored from the penalty spot.

Belgium hit the woodwork three times before pulling one back through Charles de Ketelaere late on.

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Vintage Dhoni puts CSK in IPL finals (ESPNCRICINFO) - Ruturaj Gaikwad and Robin Uthappa put on 110 for the second wicket and MS Dhoni rolled back the clock with a finishing act as Chennai Super Kings qualified for their ninth IPL final,

beating league-stage toppers, Delhi Capitals in Qualifier 1.

After the second-wicket stand had laid the platform for Super Kings in a chase of 173, the middle order stuttered before Dhoni came in with

Super Kings needing 23 off 11. He played his first ball with them needing 19 off 9, and missed it.

The next ball from Avesh Khan was clobbered over the midwicket boundary, and Dhoni then had strike against Tom Curran with

13 to get off 5.

Curran was Capitals’ most successful bowler of the night at that point, but boundaries from Dhoni -- even if one was an inside edge -- off the next two balls put the pressure squarely on him; that resulted in a wide, and eventually the half-tracker slower ball that Dhoni swung to the leg-side boundary to seal the win with two balls to spare.

Uthappa brings out the classics, Gaikwad takes it deep Uthappa’s promotion to No. 3, the position from which he has scored many IPL runs, turned out to be a crucial decision for Super Kings. He walked in during the first over, with nearly the entire powerplay at his disposal,

and made the best of his favourite phase of the innings. It was a typical Uthappa knock, studded with elegant drives on the rise, deflections behind the wicket, and dominant punches over the infield. With Gaikwad going about it in his usual languid manner to begin, Uthappa made sure Super Kings scored at a healthy rate. Five of his seven boundaries and two of his three sixes came in the powerplay, with two of each coming in a 20-run Avesh Khan over to end the powerplay.

Rishabh Pant turned to R Ashwin in the middle overs and for a brief period, he played a part as the Capitals stopped the flow of the second-wicket partnership; at least twice

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from Ashwin, that meant a literal stop, when he pulled out of his delivery stride to Gaikwad’s annoyance. But, in his second over, Uthappa reverse swept Ashwin and then hit him over his head next ball to put an end to his night.

Gaikwad then began reaping the rewards of his method; his acceleration came, as it often does, in the second half of the innings. His 50ball 70, with typically well-placed boundaries, and a lot of smart running took Super Kings all the way into the 19th over even as their middle-order shuffles -Shardul Thakur at four, Ambati Rayudu ahead of Moeen Ali at five -had begun failing.

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21

GUYANA CHRONICLE, MONDAY OCTOBER 11, 2021

Habibulla five-for spurs Richmond Hill Liberty to victory A disciplined spell from right-arm medium-fast opening bowler, Altaaf Habibulla, led pro-Guyanese team Richmond Hill Liberty to a 10-wicket win against fellow Guyanese side, Phoenix Cricket Club, yesterday at Baisley ground in the NYNCL Rockaway Group T20 Cup (Sunday competition).

Phoenix, who have a strong team for the Saturday competition, were without the big names on Sunday.

In the clash, Phoenix CC won the toss and opted to bat, and although opener Daniel Mangru managed to score a first-over bound-

ary, Habibulla, with an improved line and length, had the last laugh as he had Mangru dismissed five balls into the innings. Over his next three overs, he took 4-1 with two maidens to finish with 5-6 from four overs.

The top-order destruction by the ace Liberty bowler took the fight out of Phoenix.

Tejpaul Bishundat showed some resistance with 21, but he was undone by former West Indies U-19 cricketer, Gajanand Singh, who, incidentally, plays for Phoenix on Saturdays.

Towards the end, Kenly Adams (18 from 22 balls

2X6s) and Samuel Mahabir (11* from 17 balls) added 31 for the 10th wicket before the team succumbed for 76 in 19 overs.

Singh and Leon Mohabir supported with two wickets each.

Needing to score at 3.8 runs per over, former national U-19 cricketer, Azeemuddin Khan struck six fours and two sixes for a top score of 41 from 30 balls.

Christopher Blucher was also unbeaten.

His 30 runs came off of 24 balls and included two fours and two sixes, which propelled the side to victory in nine overs.

Woodroffe takes 13 – 14 age group title at BSA International Invitational Dorado Speed Swim Club’s Vladimir Woodroffe ended the Barbados Swimming Association (BSA) International Invitational as the 13 – 14 age group overall winner after amassing a total of 96 points over the threeday championship.

After claiming two gold and a silver on day one of the prestigious event, Vladimir returned on day two

to finish third in the 100m freestyle in a time of one minute, 0.71s, while picking up back-to-back first place finishes in the 200m (two minutes, 10.67s) and 100m backstroke (one minute, 09.14s).

At the championship’s final day, the 14-year-old won the 1500m freestyle, clocking 19 minutes, 27.62 seconds, as well as the 200m backstroke in two

minutes, 33.88s.

Woodroffe placed second in the 50m butterfly (29.32s) but failed to medal in the 50m freestyle where his time of 28.1s was only good enough for 7th place.

Vladimir, accompanied by his father Christopher, is the lone Guyanese at the event in the Land of the Flying Fish.

(Rawle Toney)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday, October 11, 2021)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD -- 83 Garnett street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Dwayne Bravo -- 7 (2) Ravendra Jadeja -- 9 Today’s Quiz: (1) What are the best T20 Int’l bowling figures by a West Indian versus India to date?

(2) What are the best T20 Int’l bowling figures by an Indian player against the WI to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Altaaf Habibulla finished with five wickets for six runs from four overs.

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE, MONDAY OCTOBER 11, 2021

Dominant Hemraj leads Phoenix CC to impressive 10-wicket win NATIONAL cricketer, Chandrapaul Hemraj, struck a blistering unbeaten 80 to lead defending champions, the Phoenix Cricket Club, to a 10-wicket victory for their third win in as many tries in the New York National Cricket League (NYNCL) Cricket Zone T20 Cup. Fellow pro-Guyanese side, Majestic CC won the toss and opted to bat

first at Cunningham Park on Saturday, but they lost their talisman, Chris Patandin (0) via the runout route. Only number three batsman, Troy Haley with 24 (1X4, 3X6s) from 15 balls, and tailender, Nicholas Ramrattan with an unbeaten 25 (4X4s) from 13 balls bothered the star-studded bowling attack of the defending champs as Majestic CC struggled

to 103 before they were bowled out in 16.2 overs.

Former West Indies U-19 cricketer, Gajanand Singh, spun his way to four wickets (4-14 from four overs), while former West Indies Test spinner, Devendra Bishoo, supported with 2-27 from four overs and national cricketer, Akshaya Persaud took 2-23 from four overs.

Hemraj, who got the

last wicket, supported with 1-10 from 1.2 overs.

Needed to score at just 5.2 runs per over, Phoenix wasted no time in the chase. Hemraj struck four fours and 10 massive sixes for a 24ball 80.

Persaud, who has been in good form, supported with an unbeaten 20 (2X4s, 1X6) from 17 balls.

Chandrapaul Hemraj struck 80 runs from 24 balls on Saturday.

Foster urges clubs, players to take advantage of cricket development

HILBERT Foster, head of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), recently urged players across the Ancient County to take full advantage of the ongoing developmental drive.

“Never in the history of Guyana has a cricket board worked as hard to make a positive difference as we in the Berbice Cricket Board have done over the last three years.

My executives are fully committed to lifting our cricket even higher and I would like to urge you to take care of every donation you receive from us but, most importantly, use it for the intended purpose.”

Those were the words of Hilbert Foster as he and his executives handed over first aid kits and coaching manuals to cricket clubs with junior sections and first division teams.

The meeting was held at the Area H Ground and was attended by representatives

Members of the different clubs pose with the BCB president after the presentation. of twenty of the twenty four kit along with copies of the The first-aid kits were ecutives to make sure that folclubs invited.

BCB historic coaching manual donated to the BCB by busi- low-up is done on the players.

Foster noted that since his while the remaining ones who nessman Ricky Deonarine of The BCB, he noted, is election in early 2018, clubs play at the first division level the popular 4 R Bearing Store doing all in its power to assist in the county have benefit- carried home a kit. on Duncan Street , George- and now it is up to them to ted from over fifteen million Foster stated that the town and are intended to assist play their part if the legacy dollars worth of items as the board was fully aware of the clubs to render assistance on of Kanhai and Butcher is to board was committed to as- ongoing pandemic and had the spot for players. be upheld. sisting all clubs to fulfil their earlier in the year donated The coaching manuals The BCB, he disclosed, mandates and also to allow all over five hundred thousand would be given to individual would update the manual on youths the same opportunities dollars worth of protective players to allow them to work an annual basis and clubs to fulfil their potentials. items including face masks, on their game in the safety would be provided with copies Clubs with the junior sec- face shields and hand sanitiz- of their homes and the BCB on a regular basis. tion each received a first aid ers to junior clubs . president warned the club exNoting that several prom-

Incredible sadness and a permeating sense of loss accompanies us each day since the news of the sudden passing, on Friday, of our good friend, Gokarn Ramdhani, who single handedly took Guyana to the world stage in badminton.

It was only a few months ago when Ramdhani, as head of the Guyana Badminton Association, partnered with Guyana Golf/Nexgen Golf Academy to expose dozens of children to the joys of air badminton, an experience they

will not soon forget.

Leading by example, Ramdhani taught his children and our nation how to excel in sports despite adversities such as lack of access to funding and training facilities. The successes at badminton by the Ramdhani family in Guyana, Canada and around the world show that determination will triumph in any circumstance.

“We at Guyana Golf and Nexgen Golf Academy join his family, friends and thousands of people who were touched

by Gokarn as a person, father,

ising players might have quit the game over the last two years due to the pandemic, Foster urged the clubs to seek out new players and even encourage others to return as the future of Berbice cricket is exciting.

Once the permission is granted for a restart of the Berbice cricket season, the board has plans to host over thirty tournaments at the junior, female, intermediate, second, internal zone and first divisions.

Foster also discussed some upcoming activities of the proactive cricket board including social skills seminars for junior players, cricket academies in four sub associations, distribution of cricket gears for junior players, production of a coaching manual, 2021 Christmas Charity Programme and more educational grants to assist players in the pursuit of an educational career.

GGA pays tribute to late sports ambassador Ramdhani friend, coach and mentor as we mourn the loss of a man who we can all agree was taken far too soon” .

“Let us use his strength, manner of leadership and professionalism, examples of overcoming challenges to shape our lives and the future of sports in our country”.

“Gokarn Ramdhani will be missed by many but mostly by those who will not be able to learn directly from him. We look to his wife and children to fulfil his legacy as they struggle to cope with his absence”.

The late Gokarn Ramdhani along with his daughter, Priya, and GGA executives during the Academy’s camp

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE, MONDAY OCTOBER 11, 2021

Bottas wins in Turkey but Max retakes championship lead

(BBC) - Valtteri Bottas won the Turkish Grand Prix as second place for Max Verstappen returned the Red Bull driver to the championship lead.

Lewis Hamilton was fifth, disagreeing with his team over the radio over their decision to make a late pit stop for tyres that dropped him down from third.

Verstappen leads Hamilton by six points with six races remaining this season.

In a tense race on a slippery track, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez took third ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

The tyres that just would not wear out Bottas drove an impressively dominant race for Mercedes to take his first win of the season, comfortably able to stay

ahead of Verstappen, who was not able to take advantage of the wet track to challenge the Finn.

Hamilton, who started 11th after a penalty for using too many engine parts, was up to third with 10 laps to go after a strong drive and some impressive overtaking moves, and wanted to hang on to the end on the same set of intermediate tyres on which he started the race.

Hamilton fought against a series of calls from Mercedes to call him into the pits, as the team feared his tyres dropping off badly in the closing laps and leaving him vulnerable to Perez, Leclerc and Alpha Tauri’s Pierre Gasly behind.

Eventually, Mercedes ordered Hamilton in with eight

laps to go, but he ran into problems with his new tyres and expressed his anger over the radio as he fought to hold off Gasly, having lost places to Perez and Leclerc.

“We shouldn’t have come in, man,” Hamilton said. “I have massive graining. I told you.”

Had he been able to hold in third place, Hamilton would have trailed Verstappen by only one point.

Ferrari faced a similar quandary with Leclerc.

He moved into the lead after Verstappen and then Bottas stopped for fresh treaded intermediate tyres with just over 20 laps to go and initially was trying to hold on in front to the end.

But the Ferrari’s tyres faded

and Bottas closed in and passed him for the lead with 11 laps to go.

Leclerc stopped immediately afterwards while Hamilton tried to hold on, feeling he would be able to stay ahead of Leclerc and Perez for the final podium place, but was overruled by his team. Mercedes were convinced by this stage that his tyres would not make it to the end.

Behind Hamilton, Gasly took sixth, from McLaren’s Lando Norris and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, impressive in moving up from the back of the grid after taking a penalty for a new engine.

Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Alpine’s Esteban Ocon, the only driver to stay out without a pit stop, completed the top 10.

Race winner Valtteri Bottas of Finland and Mercedes GP, second placed Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing and third placed Sergio Perez of Mexico and Red Bull Racing celebrate on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Turkey at Intercity Istanbul Park on October 10, 2021 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/ Getty Images)

SEASONED cyclist Jamual John emerged victorious in the Kadir Mohamed Memorial (Ounce of Gold) cycle road race which was held yesterday morning from Thirst Park to Dora on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway and back.

The lucrative 69-mile race had some of the top local cyclists in action, but in the end, it was the consistent John who triumphed.

The win was John’s

third in the competition, which started in 2012. It was also his second win since returning from the US. He won the first-ever Wilbert Benjamin Memorial Road Race in Berbice earlier this month.

Overall, John, who competes for Team Foundation in the US, finished the race in three hours, 17 minutes and 21 seconds.

Team Evolution cyclists, Paul DeNobrega and Christopher Griffith, finished second and third

overall, with Curtis Dey, Walter Grant-Stuart and Alex Mendes rounding off the top six finishers.

Paralympian Grant-Stuart was the top finisher in the U-50 division, with Mendes in second and Paul Choo-wee-nam third.

In the junior race, Sherwin Sampson got the better of fellow podium finishers, Alex Leung and Mario Washington, while in the Ladies division, Susan Hamilton defeated Clavicia Spencer.

In the over-50 division, Ian Jackson finished ahead of Garfield Lorimer and Kennard Lovell.

Meanwhile, N. Wilson

was the only juvenile cyclist to cross the finish line.

Unlike the seniors, the U50s and the juniors, who rode the entire 69 miles;

Jamual John rides away with ‘Ounce of Gold’ prize at Kadir Mohamed Memorial

the Ladies, the over-50s and juveniles journeyed from Thirst Park to Yarrowkabra Junction and back.

Team Evolution cyclists, Paul DeNobrega and Christopher Griffith, finished second and third overall. (Delano Williams photo)

Decorated! Guyana’s Vladimir Woodroffe showing off his ‘silverware’ following his sensational showing at this year’s BSA International Invitational Swimming Championships.

SEE PAGE 20

SEE PAGE 21

MS Dhoni goes for the big one, Delhi Capitals vs Chennai Super Kings, IPL 2021 Qualifier 1, Dubai, October 10, 2021 © BCCI

Vintage Dhoni puts CSK in IPL finals

Woodroffe takes 13 – 14 age group title at BSA International Invitational SEE PAGE 23

Jamual John is the 2021 ‘Ounce of Gold’ champion.

(Delano Williams photo)

Jamual John rides away with ‘Ounce of Gold’ prize at Kadir Mohamed Memorial

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MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2021