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monday, november 16, 2015 | guyanatimesGY.com

Guyana on high alert for Swine Harmon donates salary increase towards street lights Flu virus – Health Minister BY KRISTEN MACKLINGAM

ear of the deadly H1N1 virus commonly known as ‘swine flu’ being spread throughout the Caribbean and more specifically Guyana, Health Minister Dr George Norton has announced that this country is on high alert. Over the past week, two persons died in Trinidad and Tobago after contracting the virus. Another person from the twin-island republic has also been diagnosed with the killer flu. As such, Guyana is currently on high alert for signs of this virus and is poised to deal with this should the H1N1 virus enter the country. This is according to Public Health Minister Dr George Norton, who told Guyana Times on Sunday that while there have been no reports of the virus in Guyana, at the moment focus is on preventive measures. He explained that while the H1N1 is curable and the treatment is more ‘systematic’ (viral treatment), it is crucial that everyone concentrate more on prevention at this time. According to the Minister, Guyana presently has the capacity to supply the treatment. “The swine flu carries the regular symptoms of sneezing, coughing, pains, difficulties in breathing; sometimes you get secre-

tions from the nose like the regular flu so to speak, this belongs to the influenza group, specifically the H1N1 virus group,” Dr Norton said. According to the Minister, persons who appear to have the symptoms should use a swab and have a sample of body fluid sent to the National Reference Laboratory which has already been placed on high alert.

Health Minister, Dr George Norton

“They will do tests to determine whether or not there are any possibilities that it might be the H1N1 flu virus. If they suspect that this is the case, then we will have it sent to the Caribbean laboratory to get it confirmed. But the people at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation which really is our main source of referral are aware of it; they are looking for it and our port of entries are all active… Last week or the week before we had our national task force meeting convened and we are fully

prepared and ready for it,” the Minister assured. With regards to ensuring preventive measures are in place, he stated that persons have to ensure they are healthy and remain that way, so as to guarantee their immune systems are not susceptible to contracting flu-like symptoms. Minister Norton warned that should there be individuals who are sneezing and appear to be stuffy while having a high a temperature along with other flu-like symptoms then they must get tested. Guyana Times was also assured that the doctors at the GPHC are ‘prepared and ready’ to handle any flu-like cases which may actually be swine flu cases. “I went to the GPHC this morning (Sunday) and I went there yesterday as well, asking if they are seeing any symptoms that might make them even suspicious that the virus is here but they have assured me that no one has shown any symptoms of the virus. They are fully aware of what is going on and ready for them. We are fully aware that two persons have died in Trinidad and one person contracted it recently and we are not going to be taken unaware… Guyana is ready and prepared for this and that is how the doctors are responding at the GPHC,” he added. (kristenm@guyanatimesgy.com)

Police still investigating MFK boss death

ore than a year after his death, police are still conducting investigations into the murder of MFK boss, Mohammed Khan, 54, whose decomposed headless body was found on September 22, 2014 at Old Road, Cummings Lodge, Georgetown. Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum on Friday told Guyana Times the force is at the moment still conducting investigations as was recommended by the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Following that advice, Blanhum said police are still questioning some of its sources. Khan’s head was reportedly found by workers attached to the Public Works Ministry who were weeding in the area. It was reportedly in a black plastic bag and was being carried by a dog. Upon the discovery, the men went to the area from where the dog

Murdered: Mohamed Khan

came and stumbled upon the body. The businessman who resided in Venezuela after selling his Hadfield Street, Georgetown, business left that country on August 21, 2014 to visit his Guyanese attorney. He was expected to spend five days in Guyana and return to his three children and wife. After his disappearance, his

family contacted several of his friends, but no one had seen him. After the discovery, relatives of the businessman turned up at the Lyken Funeral Home and positively identified the remains as those of Khan by the underwear and a belt that were found on the corpse. Investigators believe the man was beheaded before his body was dumped in the area. On July 9, 2014, the businessman was shot to his abdomen by a gunman at La Grange, West Bank Demerara in a failed execution attempt. It was reported that a business deal had turned sour. At that time, he claimed he had sold a property, but the buyer wanted to rob him of millions and he thought the execution attempt might have been orchestrated by the buyer. Khan left the business world about six years ago after he received death threats.

inister of State Harmon has decided to donate his salary increases to assist in the setting up of street lights in several villages. The Minister made the announcement while addressing residents at the People’s National Congress’ (PNC) Regional Conference on Sunday at the Vreeden-Hoop Secondary School, West Coast Demerara. On Sunday, Minister Harmon told the gathering he had been approached by residents of several West Bank Demerara villages including Pouderoyen, who had requested that lights be installed in preparation of their Village day 2015, since, according to reports, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) did not have a budgetary allocation for the installation of street lights. He said that soon after,

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

he was approached by residents of Crane Housing Scheme, who were facing a similar problem: “I promised them that I would do something for them and so today I donate to the people of Crane, the value of the salary increase I received for this month,” he said. This was followed by the Minister handing over a cheque for the sum of $217,000 to Bowman, a par-

ty activist and resident of Crane Housing Scheme, for the installation of street lights, which will be placed from the highway, into the Scheme. Minister Harmon has also promised to donate his November increase to the community of Angoys Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice and the December salary increase will be given to a community on the Essequibo Coast.

Indian PM condemns terrorism in Paris

rime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday strongly condemned the dreadful acts of terrorism in Paris and expressed deepest sympathy and support to Russia for the loss of life in Sinai. He spoke of the need for a united global effort to combat terrorism which has never been more urgent and called for making this a priority for BRICS – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - nations. Ankara and Beirut are also reminders of terror’s growing spread and impact, Modi said in his opening address at a BRICS nations leaders meeting hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin, in Antalya, Turkey, ahead of the G20 Leaders Summit that started later

Sunday afternoon. “The entire humanity must stand together as one against terrorism,” Modi said at the meeting that is being seen as a signal from the BRICS nations to the developed countries of their rising significance in global matters. There was a time when the logic of BRICS and its lasting capacity were being questioned, Modi said. “We have provided proof of the relevance and value of BRICS through our actions…and, this has come at a time of huge global challenges”. The New Development Bank, the Currency Reserve Arrangement, Strategy for BRICS Economic Cooperation are clear evidence of the BRICS’ vision and resolve, said Modi. “Together, we

can also give shape to G20.” The meeting was also attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, South African President Jacob Zuma and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff. Speaking of India’s imminent assumption of the Chairmanship of BRICS from February 1, 2016, the Prime Minister said: “India attaches the highest importance to BRICS.” The theme of India’s BRICS Chairmanship will be “Building Responsive, Inclusive and Collective Solutions” or ‘BRICS’. Modi also assured China of India’s support during its presidency of G20. China is set to take over the rotating presidency of the G20 starting in December 2015. (India Today)