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leads to training for frontline health-care providers
NEWS15 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM COVID-19 has exacerbated mental health problems – Health Minister
By Rupa SewnaRaine
The 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-
Association
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
Hype on proposed hemp industry to be reviewed by AG
Attorney General Anil Nandlall (extreme right) meeting with members of the Guyana Hemp
that healthcare workers are
The Guyana Hemp projections hemp would have The COO expressed conAssociation has painted if produced in Guyana. Dr cerns about the occurrence of a rosy picture for hemp Kissoon explained that the the Dutch disease due to the cultivation over the next few Association is not going to high profitability of hemp. years, saying that the multi- have a traditional approach to He emphasised the need for billion-dollar industry can cre- the production of the plant. the National Agricultural ate 50,000 jobs. Rather, she explained that Research and Extension
The Association, which is hemp will be produced and Institute and the University of seeking Government’s support grown in greenhouses and will Guyana to be involved in the on hemp cultivation, met with be cultivated by professional/ initiative since individuals in Attorney General and Legal trained individuals. She also the agricultural sector know Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall explained that hemp does not everything about hemp, but on Monday. contain tetrahydrocannabi- refuse to get involved because
During the meeting, nol (THC), is not a psychoac- of politics. Nandlall informed Chief tive drug and cannot be plant- Deorga stated that Executive Officer (CEO) of the ed with marijuana because the Suriname has already beHemp Association, Turhan plants would cross-pollinate, gun the production of hemp Deorga, that Government which would be destructive. on a large scale. In closing, he made many promises which According to Deorga, an thanked the Attorney General it intends to deliver, and ex- organisation by the name of and Government for their ploring the cultivation of hemp Nirvana has recently begun open-minded approach to the on a plantation scale is one of the production of hemp in hemp industry and for holdthem. Miami and attorneys-at-law in ing the meeting. The Attorney
Its Chief Operations Officer the State have already drafted General agreed to study the (COO), Dr Asha Kissoon, pro- legislation. He also highlight- bundle of documents submitduced multiple written propos- ed a number of other jurisdic- ted to him by the Association als to the Attorney General, tions where hemp is being cul- and to incorporate it into his setting out the impacts and tivated. 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-
After 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
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 mental 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
Local Govt Ministry engages affected Stabroek Market vendors
specific population groups. explained that after the water The team engaging vendors of the Stabroek Market recedes, stallholders are left to the Guyana Fire Service so that a member of the Market mop up the heavy sludge left be- a thorough flushing of the mar- Committee, Seeru Deo, who hind with some assistance from ket can be done to ensure it is represented the interest of the the Georgetown Mayor and City properly sanitised. However, vendors and several recommenCouncil. these efforts have so far been dations were put forward, in-
He noted that despite pay- without success. cluding a review of the internal ing their rental fees, the Council It was observed that the drainage and the elevation of has failed to repair or replace a internal drains of the market the market floor by as much as broken valve on one of the pipe- were clogged and efforts were three feet. lines that has been out of ser- being made to have this situa- The Council’s Sanitation vice for the past six months, tion remedied. One vendor sug- Manager, Walter Narine, has making access to water to aid in gested that simply cleaning and since undertaken the task the clean-up efforts severely re- widening the drains could lead of having both the Stabroek stricted. to easier and speedier draining and Bourda Markets pres-
Another vendor disclosed off of the excess water after a sure-washed and fumigated on that several attempts have been high tide. Tuesday and Sunday, respecmade to secure assistance from The team also met with tively.
