Guyana: MOH launches National Week of Persons with Disabilities and Bumper Sticker Drive

Guyana: The Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, the Ministry of Health Disabilities and Rehabilitation Services, through the National Commission on Disability, launched the National Week of Persons with Disabilities and Bumper Sticker Drive on November 28, 2022. This week of activities is intended to raise awareness for persons living with disability and to commemorate the National Day of Disability, which will be observed on December 3.

During his remarks, Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony highlighted that the MoH is collaborating with the Ministry of Social Services to provide training and create more accessible services and training centres in the various regions to assist with disability services in Guyana.

Further, he added that the MOH is working with Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre and management to have the cost of prosthetic limbs reduced or even be provided free to persons in need.

Dr Anthony also mentioned that over fifty-five (55) persons have since benefited from the collaborative project with Operation Walk on Joints implants which is being done at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

Additionally, the Minister stated that the MOH, through its various programs for Disability and Rehabilitation Services, has since been able to provide much aid, such as wheelchairs, walking sticks, and other items, free of cost to persons who need them.

Picture Courtesy: Ministry of Health of Guyana

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According to the Minister, early this year, the MOH took the initiative of distributing hearing aid free of charge and the response was well appreciated mainly by the young population. Going forward, MOH will be collaborating with the Ministry of Education early next year to roll out the “School Base Package”, which will be offered to every school child. This package will provide each child with a set of screening measures for their eyes, ears and dentals, along with other nutrition elements when they enter Primary Education and Secondary Education.

Dr Anthony explained that with the expansion of services in Disability and Rehabilitation Services, very soon, the MOH will be creating a new classroom space for children with autistic, among other development for persons living with a disability.

Among those present at this morning’s event were the Chairperson (AG) of the National Commission on Disability, Vidusi Persaud-McKinnon; the Director of Disability and Rehabilitation Services, Dr Ariane Mangar; and other staff members from the National Commission on Disability and Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre.