Guyana: Ministry of Health hosts Glow for Mental Health Awareness Walk

Guyana: Desert Flower–Guyana, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO), on October 15, 2022, hosted a ‘Glow for Mental Health Awareness Walk’ in observance of World Mental Health Day 2022.

This initiative aimed to create awareness of the importance of mental well-being and to support persons experiencing mental illness through advocacy and the promotion of access to information and services.

The walk saw the participation of 200 plus individuals who illuminated the streets with green lights while sharing the message of ‘Mental Health Matters and Creating Hope Through Action’.

Present at this activity were Cilandell Glen, the Founder of Desert Flower- Guyana and the Adolescent Health Coordinator attached to the Ministry of Health; Jane Miller, the British High Commissioner to Guyana, Sunil Kumar Singh, Second Secretary and Head of Administration attached to the High Commission of India, Dr Ertenisa Hamilton, the Director of Primary and Family Health Care Services of the Ministry of Health, Andrea King, Miss Guyana World 2022 and other officials.

On the same day, the Health Ministry of Guyana targeted a visit to Region 9.

Malcolm Watkins, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health (MOH), along with the Regional Health Officer of Region Nine, Dr Cedel Mc Watt and Micheal Gouveia, Hinterland Coordinator, conducted a targeted visit to Region Nine, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo from October 12-13.

The visit was geared at setting up the Telemed pilot project, installing the medical gas pipeline at Lethem Hospital and addressing matters regarding pharmaceuticals and medical supplies. The team also took some time out of their busy schedule to have an audience with staff and listen to concerns and suggestions they had for the general improvement of the public health sector in the region.