storm EBD Chinese P supermarket

SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM Armed bandits storm EBD Chinese supermarket

Armed bandits staged a daring robbery early Saturday morning at a Chinese Supermarket at Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Reports are that at about 07:00h, the proprietor opened his store that is located at Diamond Access Road, EBD, when the bandits struck.

It was reported that the owner of Tan Yuan Meng Supermarket had opened the shutters of the business place when he was approached by two men, one of whom was armed with a handgun.

At the time, the security guard that is attached to the business was not on duty.

The bandits then pointed the gun in his direction, forced him into the supermarket and closed the shutters. The Chinese national told Police that the men began demanding that he hand over the cash.

Fearful for his life, the supermarket owner took the men to a room that is located inside of the supermarket and handed over $300,000.

The bandits then made good their escape in a waiting motor car. No arrest has been made and an investigation has been launched.

Just a few weeks ago, a 39-year-old Chinese national and businessman was robbed of $500,000 outside his business place.

Reports are that Awei Huo Die was about to enter his yard at the AWEI Supermarket at Vryheid Lust Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD), at about 02:00h when he noticed two men passing on the road.

The two men then pounced on the man and relieved him of $500,000 and a cellphone valued at $80,000 before making good their escape. The Police were summoned after the incident and checks were made for the suspects in the area but no one was arrested.

In addition, a Chinese national was shot when gunmen stormed the Egou Supermarket located at Melanie Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD), about two months ago.

Four bandits, three of whom were armed with guns, invaded the supermarket.

Police said the suspects managed to escape with $1.8 million, a Samsung S8 cellphone, a quantity of phone cards, and a Digital Video Recorder (DVR).

The proprietor, along with five employees who are Chinese nationals, were in the supermarket when one of the suspects entered and purchased an item. He then exited but returned with his accomplices.

One person was arrested but was later released from Police custody. (G9)

SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM Diamond Diagnostic Centre commissioned as a Smart Facility

The Diamond Diagnostic Centre has been commissioned as a smart hospital, equipped with resources to mark its resiliency against climate threats and enable sustainable operation.

The “Smart Hospital” concept comes under an $835 million fund by the former United Kingdom Department for International Development and implemented by the Pan American Health Organisation’s Department of Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Relief with the Health Ministry. Four other hospitals at Leonora, Mabaruma, Paramakatoi and Lethem are to be upgraded under this project. It addresses the negative footprints that contribute to climate change by simply modifying operations. Works at the Diamond Diagnostic facility was completed to the tune of US$984,439 and can now cater for emergency ser-

vices, obstetrics, gynaecology, surgeries, paediatrics, orthopaedics, pharmacy and laboratory services among others.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony indicated at Saturday’s handing over ceremony that the introduction of energy-efficient systems will lift the dependence on traditional power sources. A mechanism was installed to collect rainfall and repurpose the water for daily operations.

“We can generate much of our own power here at the hospital. We have done so by putting in a state-ofthe-art solar system that would be able to power most of the equipment that we have in the hospital. By doing so as well, one of the by-products of this or the side-effects of this is that we wouldn’t have to pay so much electricity bill,” he expressed.

The decentralised location will ease the strain from the Georgetown Public

Hospital to provide key services.

“We hope that by reopening, more people would utilise these services and we would not crowd up the services that we have at Georgetown Hospital. This hospital will be manned by 58 nurses and we have 20 doctors that will be working here,” he stated.

Another 89 medical facilities across the country underwent assessments and with any new infrastructural works, the focus will be placed on creating climate-resilient structures.

Deputy British High Commissioner, Ray Davidson alluded to the extant coronavirus pandemic that has realised the need for contingency plans. The new facilities will require continued maintenance in order to efficiently function in any setting.

“COVID-19 has further highlighted the importance of disaster preparedness and contingency measures that help facilities, for staff and patients. The improvements will require careful and timely maintenance in order that they will continue to operate and deliver their services most effectively.”

He added, “Sadly, we have all seen firsthand the impact that this dreadful virus has had on the world… The smart hospital programme mantra is smart equals safe plus green plus maintenance. We can now align effectively, practically our political work and development work and our humanitarian work.”

The building has been redesigned to use less electricity and water, along with other retrofitting to reduce disaster vulnerabilities. PAHO Representative, Dr Luis Codina highlighted that functionality was also targeted to support the structural makeup.

“While the retrofitting mainly focused on the structural aspect, we now focus on the functional aspects and the role of the staff is very important in this regard…Another aspect of the project is the capacity building initiative. Training has been provided to various sectors including building professionals, public servants and private sector individuals.” (G12)

Sections of the new “Smart” Diamond Diagnostic Centre

HEALTH TIPS

MALARIA

FROM PAGE 21

PROGNOSIS

People with malaria who receive treatment typically have a good long-term outlook. If complications arise as a result of malaria, the outlook may not be as good. Cerebral malaria, which causes swelling of the blood vessels of the brain, can result in brain damage. The long-term outlook for patients with drug-resistant parasites may also be poor. In these patients, malaria may reoccur. This may cause other complications. medication exists that can help to prevent the occurrence of malaria. These medications are the same as those used to treat the disease, and should be taken before, during, and after a trip to an endemic zone.

Sleeping under a mosquito net may help prevent someone from being bitten by an infected mosquito. Covering the skin, or using bug sprays containing DEET may also help prevent infection.

While malaria is a highly infectious and deadly disease that can cause many serious complications, it is readily treatable and preventable. The fight against elimination of malaria starts with you. Draw the line!

SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM COVID-19 claims 48 lives to date in April

…4 more deaths, whopping 152 new cases recorded

The Health Ministry on Saturday reported two more deaths from the coronavirus – bringing the death toll for the month of April to 48.

Since the pandemic started, Guyana has seen 281 persons succumbing to the virus.

The latest fatalities are two women and two men. The women are a 60-yearold from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and a 65-year- old from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). The men are a 72-yearold and a 42-year-old. Both men are from Region Four (Demerara- Mahaica).

They all died while receiving care at medical facilities.

From 1760 swabs that were taken for analysis on Saturday, 152 persons tested positive for COVID-19. Now, the total confirmed cases are at 12,600 – 6364 males and 6236 females.

In the facilities, 16 patients are seeking treatment in the Intensive Care Unit, with 74 in institutional isolation and 11 in institutional quarantine. Another 1529 persons are in home isolation.

Guyana has tested 116,046 persons thus far and some 10,702 infected persons have since recovered.

New cases were detected across eight administrative regions with three in Region One (BarimaWaini); six in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); 30 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 83 in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica); three in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); 12 in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne); seven in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and eight in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

The cases in Regions Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) remain at 254 and 511, respectively.

During an engagement on Saturday, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony reminded Guyanese to take their vaccines as it offers 100 per cent protection against coronavirus deaths. Persons were also asked to encourage those within their neighbourhood and various social circles to get immunised.

“It would reduce your possibility of getting into the hospital. It would reduce your possibility of getting into the ICU and it would prevent you from dying, which is very important. All the vaccines that are right now in use 100 per cent prevents people from dying from COVID. Let us remember that so we can persuade people to take this vaccine,” the health official positioned.

He added, “The Government of Guyana has invested a lot of money to ensure that we procure vaccines for every single adult in Guyana…We have tied up some arrangements to ensure that everyone in Guyana would be able to get that COVID-19 vaccine. That cannot be said for many countries. What we need to do is to ensure that people take the vaccine. It is of absolutely no use if we have these vaccines and we

keep them in a room.”

This week, the rising number of COVID-19 cases and death toll comes as local authorities continue to battle with a new wave of the novel coronavirus that is seeing a higher number of young people contracting the virus, and infected persons becoming sicker with some requiring hospitalisation.

If persons are experiencing symptoms or have been in contact with a positive person, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy.

(G12)

Ogle man in hot water after cops find ganja in home

The ganja that was found in the home at Ogle

Police arrested an Ogle, East Coast Demerara man on Friday after a quantity of marijuana was unearthed in his home.

According to Police reports, a party of Police ranks conducted a search at Area E, Ogle, and a search was conducted on the home of the 51-year-old suspect during which six transparent plastic bags containing a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems were found.

The cannabis was subsequently weighed and amounted to 20.8 grams.

The suspect was placed into custody pending charges. (G9)