Minister Ramsammy commissions health boat at Charity- as Oral health month is launched
Georgetown, GINA, October 31, 2011
Source - GINA
Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy addressing attendees at the launch of Oral Health Month 2011, in Region Two
Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy today commissioned a health boat at the Charity wharf, to provide medical services in the riverain communities in Region Two.
During the visit to the region, Minister Ramsammy also officially launched Oral Health Month, November 2011. The event, a collaborative activity between the Ministry’s Dental Health Services, Colgate Palmolive Limited and the Pan American Health Organisation was launched at the Oscar Joseph District Hospital, Charity, under the theme, “Improving Oral Health in Guyana-Give Every Child a Healthy Smile.”
Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy cutting the ribbon to officially launch, the medical boat, the Lady J
Speaking to attendees including students and medical personnel at the hospital, Minister Ramsammy said that in celebrating oral health month, the country must acknowledge with pride the development that has occurred in that area. He said that Guyana is blessed to be one of the few developed countries in the world that provides national access to oral health, and this is in spite of the human resource constraints experienced in the country.
Dr Ramsammy said that when he became Minister of Health, Guyana had only 17 dentists, a number too inadequate to supply the nation’s dental needs. Guyana at present has 36 practicing dentists, and this is as a result of the “ministry’s vision of ensuring dental providers in all regions of Guyana, and even more, ensuring a dentist in every sub region of Guyana.”
This vision has been realised because of the Cheddi Jagan Dental School, he said, adding that “Guyana stands proud as one of very few developed countries to have its own dental school… creating the chance for every Guyanese that aspires to do so can become a dentist.”
Dr Ramsammy said the launching of the boat is another effort on the part of the ministry to provide better health care for all its people, adding that with the launch Guyana can now boast of being one of the few countries that can claim an aquatic health boat.
The vessel will be equipped with a health team that will visit the riverain areas and provide medical services. At intervals it will offer specialized services such as dentistry and eye care, he said, and will also serve as a specialist ambulance along the Pomeroon River, taking emergency cases to the Oscar Joseph Hospital.
The health boat and the equipment within were funded by resources from the Oral Dental Health Services of Guyana. The boat is named Lady J after Former First Lady and President Janet Jagan, Ramsammy said, in recognition of her service with regards to heath care in Guyana.
Janet Jagan was pivotal to the transformation of health care in Guyana having first started developing health centres and health posts. Under her watch as Health Minister, the country benefited from about 50 health centres constructed countrywide, he said.
Region Two, Regional Chairman, Ali Baksh said that “it’s important to look at health from the several directions… and that the world’s recognition and dedication of a whole month geared at creating awareness about oral health, shows the commitment of the populace to oral health and promoting a healthy lifestyle.”
Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy addressing attendees at the launch of Health boat, Lady J at the Charity Wharf, Region Two
Government has been spending billions on a yearly basis to improve health care in Guyana and Region Two has benefited tremendously, Ali said. He added that Region Two has benefited from its full share of trained personnel, health posts and health centres even in the most remote areas.
Baksh said it is important to recognize the important role of the ministry and the health workers that are involved directly every day, to ensure that their advancement in health services throughout Guyana and in Region Two.
Colgate Palmolive Representative, Elizabeth Kansinally said that the company is happy to be a part of the oral health month celebrations and the company has been working with dental professionals, students and parents to spread the message and importance of proper oral hygiene.
A glimpse inside the medical boat, the Lady J
Kansinally said that over the years the company’s programmes with regards to dental hygiene awareness has reached over 500,000 people, as the importance of oral health is making its presence felt in Guyana.
She had that this journey has no end as the company’s aim is to deliver critical oral health education and practices for generations to come.
Oral Health month was celebrated in Guyana for the first time in 2002 towards changing the population’s oral health culture with regards to the fear of dental environments and professionals, understanding of dental care and dental diseases.
In commemoration of the launch residents of Region Two were treated to free dental services such as screening, extraction, cleaning, and filling at the hospital as well as toothpaste and toothbrushes compliments of Colgate Palmolive.
Georgetown, GINA, October 31, 2011
Source - GINA
Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy addressing attendees at the launch of Oral Health Month 2011, in Region TwoMinister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy today commissioned a health boat at the Charity wharf, to provide medical services in the riverain communities in Region Two.
During the visit to the region, Minister Ramsammy also officially launched Oral Health Month, November 2011. The event, a collaborative activity between the Ministry’s Dental Health Services, Colgate Palmolive Limited and the Pan American Health Organisation was launched at the Oscar Joseph District Hospital, Charity, under the theme, “Improving Oral Health in Guyana-Give Every Child a Healthy Smile.”
Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy cutting the ribbon to officially launch, the medical boat, the Lady JSpeaking to attendees including students and medical personnel at the hospital, Minister Ramsammy said that in celebrating oral health month, the country must acknowledge with pride the development that has occurred in that area. He said that Guyana is blessed to be one of the few developed countries in the world that provides national access to oral health, and this is in spite of the human resource constraints experienced in the country.
Dr Ramsammy said that when he became Minister of Health, Guyana had only 17 dentists, a number too inadequate to supply the nation’s dental needs. Guyana at present has 36 practicing dentists, and this is as a result of the “ministry’s vision of ensuring dental providers in all regions of Guyana, and even more, ensuring a dentist in every sub region of Guyana.”
This vision has been realised because of the Cheddi Jagan Dental School, he said, adding that “Guyana stands proud as one of very few developed countries to have its own dental school… creating the chance for every Guyanese that aspires to do so can become a dentist.”
Dr Ramsammy said the launching of the boat is another effort on the part of the ministry to provide better health care for all its people, adding that with the launch Guyana can now boast of being one of the few countries that can claim an aquatic health boat.
The vessel will be equipped with a health team that will visit the riverain areas and provide medical services. At intervals it will offer specialized services such as dentistry and eye care, he said, and will also serve as a specialist ambulance along the Pomeroon River, taking emergency cases to the Oscar Joseph Hospital.
The health boat and the equipment within were funded by resources from the Oral Dental Health Services of Guyana. The boat is named Lady J after Former First Lady and President Janet Jagan, Ramsammy said, in recognition of her service with regards to heath care in Guyana.
Janet Jagan was pivotal to the transformation of health care in Guyana having first started developing health centres and health posts. Under her watch as Health Minister, the country benefited from about 50 health centres constructed countrywide, he said.
Region Two, Regional Chairman, Ali Baksh said that “it’s important to look at health from the several directions… and that the world’s recognition and dedication of a whole month geared at creating awareness about oral health, shows the commitment of the populace to oral health and promoting a healthy lifestyle.”
Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy addressing attendees at the launch of Health boat, Lady J at the Charity Wharf, Region TwoGovernment has been spending billions on a yearly basis to improve health care in Guyana and Region Two has benefited tremendously, Ali said. He added that Region Two has benefited from its full share of trained personnel, health posts and health centres even in the most remote areas.
Baksh said it is important to recognize the important role of the ministry and the health workers that are involved directly every day, to ensure that their advancement in health services throughout Guyana and in Region Two.
Colgate Palmolive Representative, Elizabeth Kansinally said that the company is happy to be a part of the oral health month celebrations and the company has been working with dental professionals, students and parents to spread the message and importance of proper oral hygiene.
A glimpse inside the medical boat, the Lady JKansinally said that over the years the company’s programmes with regards to dental hygiene awareness has reached over 500,000 people, as the importance of oral health is making its presence felt in Guyana.
She had that this journey has no end as the company’s aim is to deliver critical oral health education and practices for generations to come.
Oral Health month was celebrated in Guyana for the first time in 2002 towards changing the population’s oral health culture with regards to the fear of dental environments and professionals, understanding of dental care and dental diseases.
In commemoration of the launch residents of Region Two were treated to free dental services such as screening, extraction, cleaning, and filling at the hospital as well as toothpaste and toothbrushes compliments of Colgate Palmolive.