16 news Guiana Shield Facility Project nears completion T saturday, July 19, 2014 | guyanatimeSGY.com
he Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) is in the final few weeks of execution of a project support by the Guiana Shield Facility titled “Strengthening of Guyana’s Technical Capacity to Implement MRVS & Other REDD+ Related Activities”. The Guiana Shield Facility is a flexible delivery mechanism within the United Nations Development Programme to promote the conservation of biodiversity and to support sustainable development in the Guiana Shield eco-region. The European Union and Government of the Netherlands are the donors. This facility is a follow on the previous phase called the Guiana Shield Initiative which saw the delivery of key technical assessment on biodiversity and ecosystem services. A close off workshop was held at the GFC on July 17, at which the
Some of the participants at the forestry workshop
Natural Resources and the Environment Ministry and the GFC outlined the main outcomes of the project and next steps forward. The Ministry said Guyana has a vibrant extractives sector and protecting the natural wealth of the eco-region has to be done while balancing the impacts of these activities. The Ministry noted that demand for Guyana’s natural resources is high and the need to limit the impacts that utilisation may have on the environment, is essential.
Useful opportunity
It also said that through this project, the opportunity presented itself to examine natural resources within the broader context of the ecoregion, and identify options for moving forward. This project was implemented by the GFC over a two-year period and commenced in August 2012. The overall goal of the project was in keeping with the principles of the Guiana Shield Facility, and reflected the national priori-
ties for Guyana on REDD+, which sought to strengthen the technical capacity of the GFC and other key agencies involved in Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Plus (REDD+) implementation, while assisting the Government in the development of key technical components of REDD+ readiness activities in Guyana. These components contributed to the implementation of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and REDD+ readi-
ness activities, including the development of Guyana’s Monitoring Reporting and Verification (MRV) system. Among the main areas of work addressed under the project include support to technical assessment to inform Guyana’s national reference Level for REDD+, analysis to explore co-benefits of REDD+ and integration of monitoring mechanisms within the national MRVS, the conducting of stakeholder engagement on REDD+ and MRVS areas, and the development
of initial work on REDD+ strategies. These activities have been completed and have supported national priorities areas for Guyana’s REDD+ programme. Guyana’s role in the Guiana Shield Eco Region is one of the largest blocks of primary tropical forest worldwide as well as an eco-region with very high biodiversity levels. With 90 per cent covered with intact rainforest, it plays a critical role in mitigating climate change and in water regulation of Amazon and Orinoco basins. A significant percentage of Guyana’s forests of approximately 18 million hectares forms part of this eco-region and highlights the importance of the role within the eco-region. With over 1.16 million hectares of Guyana’s forest designated as protected areas, and several areas under community management plans, Guyana’s role in the eco-region is vital.
Another batch of doctors completes internship at Suddie By Indrawattie Natram
T
One of the top graduating interns, Dr Amit Rajpersaud poses with his proud mother Angela Persaud
wenty-four fledging doctors have successfully completed their one-year internship programme at Suddie Public Hospital. A simple graduation ceremony, on Friday, courtesy of the Cuban Medical Brigade in Guyana, at the hospital’s Boardroom marked the culmination of the medical apprentice-
ship of the doctors who had trained in Cuba for six years before embarking on the internship. In his address at the ceremony, Region Two Chairman Parmanand Persaud commended the Government of Cuba and its people, with whom Guyana enjoys a good bilateral relationship, for training the Guyanese doctors. The Region Two Chairman congratulated the 24 new doctors and said they will provide a significant boost to the health sector, noting that full-time services will be offered to the public at health centres on the Essequibo Coast. He told graduates, parents, doctors and other hospital officials present that the Cuban Medical Brigade in Guyana is doing an excellent job, and owing to their efforts, the health sector has been enhanced. The Chairman said over the years, Cuba as a country has offered tonnes of humanitarian services to people in various countries, including Venezuela. On this note, Persaud called for the sanctions on Cuba to be lifted, saying he could only imagine the magnitude of humanitarian services that would be offered to people around the world by Cuba if the economy is freed up. In her remarks to the graduates, Director of the Teaching Process of the Cuban Medical Brigade in Guyana, Ana Antonia Fernandez Assan, said the internship programme was successfully achieved with a 100 per cent pass rate. She said in this present batch, the programme was
The other top student, Dr Jewel Chester receiving her certificate from a Cuban Professor on Friday at the Suddie Public Hospital boardroom
realised with quality and the results of students are recognised. The Director stressed that “a doctor is like a Pastor, a missionary and a crusader of health” and stated that the training was made possible through the spirit of kind solidarity of Cuba. Beginning of journey Regional Health Officer (RHO) Allison Brown also congratulated the doctors on completing their course, and thanked their parents and relatives for supporting them during their six years of study in Cuba. Brown told the doctors that it was the beginning of their journey and urged them to continue to do research. The RHO also advised the young doctors to always take correction and guidance from senior doctors, professionals and experienced nurses.
The top graduating doctors were Amit Rajpersaud, of Hubu Backdam, Parika, Region Three; and Jewel Chester of Linden, Region 10. Dr Amit Rajpersaud told Guyana Times that studying in Cuba was the best opportunity given to him, and expressed thanks to his teachers, parents and the Government of Cuba. Dr Chester also expressed gratitude to the Government of Cuba. She added that she enjoyed her training at the Suddie Public Hospital, and was aspiring to become a great medical officer. Dr Rajpersaud’s mother, Angela Persaud, who was present at the ceremony was very happy and proud of her son’s success. She said herself and her husband, a sawmill foreman, supported Rajpersaud during his study in Cuba and she has seen the results of their efforts today.