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Oct 11, 2024 News Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony among other officials at the location where the Kato Hospital will be constructed. Kaieteur News – Two Chinese firms have bid over US$20million each to construct the Kato Hospital in Region Eight and the Moruca Hospital in Region One. This was revealed during the opening of tenders at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office on Thursday. According to NPTAB, PCI-Sinopharmintl Consortium and Shandong High-Speed Dejian Group Inc. met the relevant criteria to bid for the Ministry of Health projects. Kaieteur News reported that the two bidders were among several firms who initially submitted their proposals in August for the contracts. PCI-Sinopharmintl Consortium submitted a bid of US$27,429,307.01 to design and build the Kato Hospital, while Shandong High-Speed Dejian Group Inc. bid US$37,331,426. In relation to the Moruca Hospital, PCI-Sinopharmintl Consortium bid US$21,269,051, while Shandong High-Speed Dejian Group Inc. bid US$33,103,246. Kaieteur News reported that the Kato and Moruca Hospital projects are being funded through a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The ministry in its tender document stated that the Government of Guyana received financing from the Inter-American Development Bank under the Health Care Network Strengthening in Guyana project and intends to use part of the proceeds to fund the hospital projects. Kaieteur News reported that the US$97 million IDB loan secured by the Guyana Government in December 2022 forms part of a broader effort to strengthen the nation’s healthcare network under the Conditional Credit Line for Investment Projects (CCLIP). The comprehensive programme aims to bolster the capacity of seven hospitals across various regions, including key hinterland areas and urban centers. According to reports, the loan will be used to improve the health of the Guyanese population through increased access, quality, and efficiency of health services by improving health outcomes associated with low and high complexity procedures. This will be done by expanding the capacity of strategic hospitals, by extending coverage of diagnostic, medical consultation, and patient management services, inclusive of the country’s hinterlands, through digital health; and by increasing the efficiency of the public health system, by strengthening key logistic, management, and support processes and inputs. The project is also expected to target infrastructure improvement and expansion in seven priority hospitals, namely the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital (NARH) and the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC), as well as four District Hospitals located in the hinterland (Moruca, Kamarang, Kato, and Lethem). Kaieteur News understands that the state-of-the-art facility for Moruca is set to feature a modern medical laboratory, and a 24-hour operated Accident and Emergency Unit among other facilities. The site for the new hospital has already been identified and it is located at 3 Miles, Moruca. Similarly, the new facility at Kato will consist of 75 beds, a modern medical laboratory, and a 24-hour operated Accident and Emergency Unit. The world-class health facility is set to be completed by the end of 2025 or the first half of 2026. Related Similar Articles

Oct 11, 2024 News Colombia’s national airline, Avianca had filed for bankruptcy protection in a US court back in 2020 Kaieteur News – Avianca, a leading Colombian airline, will commence direct flights to Guyana on December 11, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport said in a press release. This marks a significant milestone for Guyana’s aviation industry, strengthening ties with Colombia and unlocking tourism, trade, and cultural exchange opportunities, the CJIA added. The new route will connect Guyana’s capital, Georgetown, to Bogotá, Colombia, offering a convenient and efficient twice-weekly service. Passengers can expect a comfortable Airbus A320 aircraft with a capacity of 180 passengers. This direct service is more than just a faster connection. It’s a game-changer for Guyana’s international air connectivity, providing direct access to South America. The addition of Avianca brings the number of new airlines serving Guyana since 2020 to seven with access to five new destinations. This expansion is expected to attract more visitors to Guyana’s beautiful landscapes and rich culture, facilitate smoother trade between Guyana and Colombia and potentially other South American countries, and pave the way for stronger cultural connections between Guyana and the region. Government officials are enthusiastic about this development.  The addition of Avianca is seen as a key step towards positioning Guyana as a regional hub for travel and commerce. Deodat Indar, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, underscored that, “As the Government continues to invest in modernising the country’s aviation infrastructure and forge partnerships with renowned global airlines, Avianca’s entry into the local market will significantly boost interest in our country’s unique offerings.” Additionally, the Minister of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, expressed enthusiasm that this new route will boost visitor arrivals while stimulating investment and economic growth. She said, “It will also significantly boost our local tourism industry, creating new jobs and opportunities for businesses. This positive development will further enhance Guyana’s reputation as a premier tourist destination.” Furthermore, Bishop Juan Edghill, Minister of Public Works, echoed the sentiments that this new partnership with Avianca speaks to the Government’s resilience and commitment to expanding the country’s air connectivity, which is a key component of its strategy to position Guyana as a regional hub for travel and commerce. He added, “We are spending heavily on infrastructure improvements to make Guyana an even more appealing destination for investors and airlines. Our upgraded airport and related infrastructure will be critical in increasing our appeal for international air connectivity.” Avianca’s flights will significantly expand Guyana’s seat availability, providing travelers with more options and potentially lower fares. So far this year, Guyana has added an additional 200,000 airline seats and 125,000 more passenger movements. Avianca’s extensive network, spanning over 100 destinations across the Americas and Europe, will transform Guyana into a more accessible and attractive destination, offering travelers seamless connections to other global hotspots. Related Similar Articles

Man on $150k bail for allegedly raping minor Oct 11, 2024 News Kaieteur News – A 28-year-old miner was placed on $150,000 bail, on Thursday when he appeared at the Bartica Magistrates’ Court to answer to a rape charge. Shawn Ceasar The accused, Shawn Caesar, was accused of raping a child under the age of 16. He made his first court appearance before Magistrate Teriq Mohammed, at the Bartica Magistrates’ Court where the charge was read to him. He was not required to enter a plea. Caesar is scheduled to return to court on October 25, 2024.     Related Similar Articles

Over 100 persons charged for traffic offences in 24 hours- Police Oct 11, 2024 News Some of the vehicles that were stopped by traffic ranks on Wednesday. Kaieteur News – One hundred and three traffic offences were recorded on Wednesday by traffic police during a traffic enforcement exercise, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) said via its ‘Radio Eve Leary’ station. According to the report, many tickets were issues to offenders and many are set to appear in court to answer their charges. The Traffic Department said that three persons were charged with dangerous driving and another three for obscure identification marks. Other charges included driving without a muffler (silencer), uncertified motor vehicles, unlicensed motor vehicles, uninsured motor vehicles and failure to produce a drivers’ licence. Additionally, two persons were charged with breaching traffic light signals while 27 persons were charged for driving with tinted windows and 62 for leaving their vehicles in a dangerous position. “The effort continues, as many motorists show a disregard for road rules and signs,” the police stated in the report. There has been an increased presence of traffic police on the streets in a bid to clamp down on road rage and accidents, particularly fatalities. Related Similar Articles

Metal barrels explodes killing 5-year-old boy Oct 11, 2024 News Kaieteur News – Five-year-old Fayyaz Shahid on Thursday died following a metal barrel explosion at his Prospect, East Bank Demerara home. According to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), around 4:30 p.m. the child’s parents, 35-year-old Faiaze Sahid and 37-year-old Jessica Williams, were attempting to cut a metal barrel with a welding torch to make a BBQ grill. The barrel suddenly exploded, hitting young Fayyaz, who was nearby on the veranda. The parents rushed their son to the Diamond Diagnostic Hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival. Regional Commander Deputy Superintendent Wayne DeHearte and a team of police officers visited the scene. Upon inspection, the police observed that the barrel had a label indicating it was highly flammable. The explosion caused the top of the barrel to blow off, fatally striking the child. The police have since launched an investigation, with initial findings revealing injuries to the child’s left hand and head. Further investigations are ongoing. Related Similar Articles

Metal barrel explodes killing 5-year-old boy Oct 11, 2024 News “Metal barrel explodes killing 5-year-old boy at his Prospect, East Bank Demerara home on Thursday. He was identified as Fayyaz Shahid”. Metal barrel explodes killing 5-year-old Shayyaz Sahid Kaieteur News – Five-year-old Fayyaz Shahid on Thursday died following a metal barrel explosion at his Prospect, East Bank Demerara home. According to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), around 4:30 p.m. the child’s parents, 35-year-old Faiaze Sahid and 37-year-old Jessica Williams, were attempting to cut a metal barrel with a welding torch to make a BBQ grill. The barrel suddenly exploded, hitting young Fayyaz, who was nearby on the veranda. The parents rushed their son to the Diamond Diagnostic Hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival. Regional Commander Deputy Superintendent Wayne DeHearte and a team of police officers visited the scene. Upon inspection, the police observed that the barrel had a label indicating it was highly flammable. The explosion caused the top of the barrel to blow off, fatally striking the child. The police have since launched an investigation, with initial findings revealing injuries to the child’s left hand and head. Further investigations are ongoing. (Metal barrel explodes killing 5-year-old boy) Related Similar Articles

Guyana boosting coastal resistance through World Bank project Oct 11, 2024 News Kaieteur News – Guyana is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Studies have shown that rising sea levels, among the highest in the world, expose 100 percent of the country’s coastal agriculture and 66.4 percent of its coastal urban areas to flooding and erosion, with potential Gross Domestic Project losses that could exceed 46.4 percent. As such, Guyana has become a beneficiary of a World Bank approved project to help the country adapt to climate change and reduce flood risk in its coastal regions. This initiative is set to benefit around 320,000 people, approximately 40 percent of the country’s population, including the most vulnerable. The ongoing Coastal Adaptation and Resilience Project builds on existing efforts to enhance flood risk management in Guyana. The project will repair or replace more than 45 drainage infrastructure assets, focusing on sluices. According to the World Bank, investments will take into consideration projected land uses, population growth, urbanization, and climate change impacts to enhance drainage functionality for efficient rainfall runoff discharge, improve flood protection, and strengthen irrigation services. “This initiative builds on a long-standing engagement between the World Bank and Guyana on strengthening resilience to flooding and natural hazards. With this operation, we are reinforcing Guyana’s efforts to maximize disaster risk management while protecting lives and reducing inequalities in the long-term,” said Diletta Doretti, World Bank Group Resident Representative for Guyana and Suriname.  “This project is also a critical component of Guyana’s Low-Carbon Development Strategy, aligning with the country’s broader vision for climate resilient growth,” she added. Guyana’s coastal drainage system comprises a unique, intricate network of canals, culverts, sluices, and pumps. Over time, its operational capacities have declined due to insufficient investments in maintenance and growing flood risk arising from urbanization and the impacts of climate change. Following the 2005 floods, the government re-emphasized the importance of flood risk management and increased the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority’s budget. According to the World Bank, the project will work closely with Guyana’s Ministry of Agriculture to help it effectively manage and operate the drainage system. It will upgrade the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority’s asset management system, develop technical standards for flood risk management in urban areas, and provide training to enhance personnel capacity for system operation and maintenance. The US$45 million project is financed by the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF). The GRIF is a financial intermediary fund (FIF) for the financing of activities identified under the Government of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). The GRIF funds are revenues earned by Guyana for payments for climate services. Under the agreement, Norway compensates Guyana for curbing greenhouse gas emissions caused by deforestation and forest degradation. Guyana utilizes these revenues for the implementation of its Low Carbon Development Strategy which includes a comprehensive and overarching framework for building resilience to climate change impacts. The Coastal Adaptation and Resilience Project is part of these efforts. Related Similar Articles