NEWS
15
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
COVID-19 has exacerbated mental health problems – Health Minister
…leads to training for frontline health-care providers By Rupa Sewnaraine
T
he novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has impacted not only the health of people worldwide but has also strained the mental health composite of many individuals. This includes relatives of patients, healthcare workers and even persons who may have been affected by the pandemic. Having realised that mental problems have been triggered by the current situation, the Health Ministry on Monday commenced its second leg of training, this time it was specifically conducted to frontline healthcare workers. Speaking at the opening, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony explained that many mental health programmes have remained underfunded and understaffed, thus the reach is limited. However, now is the time when there is a greater need. “Mental health is essential for good health and wellbeing in our society. However, we often ignored its importance, and we have consistently understaffed and underfund these programmes. As a result, we do not have enough qualified personnel to adequately diagnose people with mental health vulnerabilities. The current pandemic has now exacerbated these problems.” He pointed out that the threat of infection, repeat-
PAHO/WHO Country Representative, Dr Luis Phillipe Codina
ed lockdowns, curfews, social isolation, and economic uncertainty have created widespread fear and anxiety. Studies have also shown the adverse psychological effects of enforced institutional quarantines and isolation. Along with this, persons are facing the brunt of misinformation in the public domain. “In addition to the real or perceived challenges of the pandemic, we now also have an infodemic. This phenomenon is characterised by a flood of fake news and misinformation, that is spread on social media and other outlets, it travels faster and further and the erroneous message is quickly amplified. These
false messages have catalysed to raise people’s anxiety and fears and has become a real threat in disrupting our public health programmes,” the Minister explained. According to a survey done by the World Health Organisation (WHO), people with severe pre-existing and enduring mental health conditions have been mostly affected by COVID-19-related disruptions of mental health-care systems. Other vulnerable groups include children and adolescents, many of whom he said: “have been impacted by school closures, stretched health systems, restricted access to nutritious food, breakdown in family relationships, neglect, and abuse.” On the other hand, the older patients and those with comorbidities are afraid of contracting the virus, which poses a negative effect. “Many persons who died had comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, acute or chronic kidney diseases and immunocompromising diseases. There is little doubt why many persons with pre-existing health conditions are terrified and lonely, afraid of infection, dying, and losing family members while physically distanced from loved ones and friends,” Dr Anthony highlighted. Moreover, he emphasised that healthcare workers are
Hype on proposed hemp industry to be reviewed by AG
Attorney General Anil Nandlall (extreme right) meeting with members of the Guyana Hemp Association
T
he Guyana Hemp Association has painted a rosy picture for hemp cultivation over the next few years, saying that the multibillion-dollar industry can create 50,000 jobs. The Association, which is seeking Government’s support on hemp cultivation, met with Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall on Monday. During the meeting, Nandlall informed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Hemp Association, Turhan Deorga, that Government made many promises which it intends to deliver, and exploring the cultivation of hemp on a plantation scale is one of them. Its Chief Operations Officer (COO), Dr Asha Kissoon, produced multiple written proposals to the Attorney General, setting out the impacts and
projections hemp would have if produced in Guyana. Dr Kissoon explained that the Association is not going to have a traditional approach to the production of the plant. Rather, she explained that hemp will be produced and grown in greenhouses and will be cultivated by professional/ trained individuals. She also explained that hemp does not contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is not a psychoactive drug and cannot be planted with marijuana because the plants would cross-pollinate, which would be destructive. According to Deorga, an organisation by the name of Nirvana has recently begun the production of hemp in Miami and attorneys-at-law in the State have already drafted legislation. He also highlighted a number of other jurisdictions where hemp is being cultivated.
The COO expressed concerns about the occurrence of the Dutch disease due to the high profitability of hemp. He emphasised the need for the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute and the University of Guyana to be involved in the initiative since individuals in the agricultural sector know everything about hemp, but refuse to get involved because of politics. Deorga stated that Suriname has already begun the production of hemp on a large scale. In closing, he thanked the Attorney General and Government for their open-minded approach to the hemp industry and for holding the meeting. The Attorney General agreed to study the bundle of documents submitted to him by the Association and to incorporate it into his advice to Cabinet on the issue.
facing a greater risk of infection, stigmatisation, and stressful workloads, with the attendant psychological repercussions. “This course will teach healthcare workers how to cope with stress, how to detect people with mental health vulnerabilities and how to counsel and assist them through these challenges,” the Minister assured. Recently appointed PAHO/WHO Country Representative, Dr Luis Phillipe Codina acknowledged that there is little support and financial input across the region for mental health. It was indicated that just placing the issue in the hands of the psychiatrist is not the only mechanism that should be taken. Codina suggested that COVID-19 is a good opportunity to analyse mental health and access what are the issues facing people. “It could be a good opportunity to change some things in the management of mental health in the country…It is not so different as mental health in other countries. We have to strengthen international response and capacity,” he indicated. It is also important to develop surveillance in mental health while revisiting communication tools and replac-
Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony
ing them with modern technology. This reform can result in a new model to address such issues. Meanwhile, Director of Mental Health Unit, Dr Util Thomas Richmond asserted that this training for frontline healthcare providers is going to take Guyana to an admirable level. She noted that while the country is dependent on human capital to overcome the virus, the human resources is even more vital. She also shared the view that mental health is not adequately funded around the world but the demand for these services is very high, since approximately one in five persons suffers from men-
tal health issues. There is also a proliferation of alcohol abuse and violence. There is also an increase in marijuana abuse, which is reflected in the street population and admissions to psychiatric units. Adding to this, Mental Health Advisor at PAHO, Dr Maria del Carmen Martinez Viciana spoke about mental health and psychosocial aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic. She said Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) is the key to stopping transmission. This can be done by distributing timely factual information, providing MHPSS to people in isolation, protecting the mental health of all responders and the vulnerable population; and addressing the basic needs of people. Stressors linked to the pandemic are rumours and misinformation, closure of schools and children’s activity spaces, travel restrictions, physical isolation or quarantine; avoidance of health facilities, risk of relapse in pre-existing health conditions and fear of infection. There is also the problem of discrimination towards those persons who have been infected, social stigma of caring for patients or specific population groups.
Local Govt Ministry engages affected Stabroek Market vendors
A
fter being affected by a recent spring tide at the Stabroek Market, vendors were on Monday engaged by a team from the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry to lend support. This was made possible through coordination from subject Minister, Nigel Dharamlall. The team, comprising Principal Regional Development Officer, Surendra Khayyam; Public Relations Officer, Whitney Ethard and Municipal Services Officer, Ronald Beckles met with the vendors and listened to their concerns. Solutions were discussed to ease the frequent flooding of the market during high and spring tides. Clerk of Markets, Sherlock Lovell and Deputy Clerk of Markets, Melroy Gordon disclosed that the market was closed for business during the morning hours owing to overtopping. The vendors complained that they have been facing this situation for years now without an end in sight and without any intervention from the authorities. One vendor, Ryan Boodhoo explained that after the water recedes, stallholders are left to mop up the heavy sludge left behind with some assistance from the Georgetown Mayor and City Council. He noted that despite paying their rental fees, the Council has failed to repair or replace a broken valve on one of the pipelines that has been out of service for the past six months, making access to water to aid in the clean-up efforts severely restricted. Another vendor disclosed that several attempts have been made to secure assistance from
The team engaging vendors of the Stabroek Market
the Guyana Fire Service so that a thorough flushing of the market can be done to ensure it is properly sanitised. However, these efforts have so far been without success. It was observed that the internal drains of the market were clogged and efforts were being made to have this situation remedied. One vendor suggested that simply cleaning and widening the drains could lead to easier and speedier draining off of the excess water after a high tide. The team also met with
a member of the Market Committee, Seeru Deo, who represented the interest of the vendors and several recommendations were put forward, including a review of the internal drainage and the elevation of the market floor by as much as three feet. The Council’s Sanitation Manager, Walter Narine, has since undertaken the task of having both the Stabroek and Bourda Markets pressure-washed and fumigated on Tuesday and Sunday, respectively.
