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PAHO join forces to end stigma around dementia   Sep 05, 2024 News Kaieteur News – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) launched the #TimeToActOnDementia campaign, a joint initiative to raise awareness about dementia and address the stigma that surrounds the condition in the region of the Americas. Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders affect an estimated 10.3 million people in the Americas and are among the leading causes of death in individuals aged 60 and older. Regrettably, persons living with these conditions are often subject to stigma and discrimination, and with the number of people living with dementia set to almost triple by 2050, now is the time to promote a better understanding of this condition. In a press release PAHO said this joint campaign aims to raise awareness by opening discussions about dementia on television, social media, newspapers and radio, and to address current perceptions and attitudes about this condition.    “We must recognize dementia as a public health priority and invest accordingly in risk reduction, the continuum of health and social care, and dementia-friendly initiatives that promote participation, safety, and inclusion for people with dementia and their carers,” PAHO Director, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa said. A recent Lancet publication showed that up to 45% of all dementias could be delayed, slowed, or even prevented. “New treatments represent a beacon of hope, but we must also change perceptions about dementia”, ADI CEO, Paola Barbarino said. “This is equally true for healthcare practitioners, and the public. Many still wrongly believe that dementia is a normal part of aging, denying people access to a timely diagnosis, treatment, care, and support. By raising awareness and tackling stigma, we can unlock much more effective, combined treatment and care solutions for those most in need,” she added. To address the global burden of dementia, the World Health Organization (WHO) developed the Global Action Plan on the public health response to dementia 2017-2025, which was formally adopted by all Member States in 2017 at the 70th World Health Assembly. The Plan outlines seven areas of action to reduce the burden of dementia, including increasing support for those caring for people with dementia, and addressing the risk factors related to dementia, including physical inactivity, obesity, and unhealthy diets, among others. The Time to Act on Dementia campaign begins on September 4 and will run throughout September and October, with Alzheimer’s Day being celebrated on September 21st. PAHO and ADI encourage governments, ministries of health, associations working on dementia, and civil society to participate in this campaign and share its messages. Dementia is not a part of normal aging, and there are ways to reduce the risk of developing dementia. Visit the campaign website and download the toolkit. Related Similar Articles

Ramsammy presents Letter of Credence to WTO Director General Sep 05, 2024 News Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy presenting his letter of Credence to Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization Kaieteur News – Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations Office at Geneva, Dr Leslie Ramsammy on Wednesday presented his letter of Credence to Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Prior to the brief presentation of his letter of Credence, Ambassador Ramsammy conveyed Guyana’s gratitude to Dr. Ngozi and the secretariat staff for the technical capacity-building opportunities afforded to us as a small economy and the attendant challenges of human resources constraints, a press release said. He also shared that Guyana will be benefiting from training workshops on specific WTO issues scheduled for later this year, and early in 2025 in Georgetown. Ambassador Ramsammy highlighted Guyana’s regional and global leadership roles in Food and Nutrition Security, Climate and Environment Security and Energy Security. He also spoke of Guyana’s efforts to diversify its economy, and highlighted the careful efforts the country is undertaking to avoid the mistakes some countries have made in pursing an “oil” economy at the expense of a diversified economy. Dr. Ngozi lauded Guyana for the work the Government is doing in food and nutrition security, particularly helping in the reduction of CARICOM’s food import bill by 11 per cent to date, which forms part of the initiative to reduce CARICOM’s food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025 (25 by 25 initiative). Both sides reiterated the importance of digital trade and further development of the services sector, as digitally delivered service is the future of trade. Guyana has been a WTO member since 1 January 1995 and a member of GATT since 5 July 1966. Guyana remains supportive of the work of the WTO and the multilateral trading system, believing in an equitable and transparent system. Thus, we take our role as the CARICOM Ministerial Spokesperson on WTO matters very seriously. Ambassador Ramsammy was accompanied by Mr. Colin Luckie, First Secretary, Guyana’s Permanent Mission to the WTO. Related Similar Articles

GPHC vascular surgery team performs emergency repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm Sep 05, 2024 News The patient surrounded by doctors following the successful surgery Kaieteur News – The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) said on July 10, 2024, its Vascular Department successfully performed an emergency repair of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) – a historic achievement for the Vascular Surgery team and the hospital. This is only the third successful surgery of its kind in the history of Guyana, underscoring both the rarity and the expertise involved in such high-risk procedures, the GPHC said. An aneurysm is a localised enlargement or bulging of a blood vessel, most commonly an artery, due to a weakness in the vessel wall. When this occurs in the aorta – the largest artery in the body, responsible for carrying blood from the heart to the rest of the body – it becomes particularly concerning. A ruptured AAA has a 65% mortality rate before the patient even reaches the hospital, and for those who survive the journey, the survival rate drops by 1% per minute. Even among those who make it to the operating room, only 50% typically survive. These daunting statistics highlight the extraordinary nature of the recent achievements at GPHC, where the Vascular Surgery team, under the leadership of Consultant Vascular Surgeon Dr. Carlos Martin, has successfully performed life-saving surgeries on three patients with ruptured AAAs over the past three years. This accomplishment is a testament not only to the team’s exceptional surgical skills but also to the hospital’s efficient emergency response system and the dedication of its clinical staff. Dr. Martin emphasized that before 2021, patients in Guyana suffering from ruptured aortic aneurysms were only offered palliative care, as this complex intervention was not available locally. A major investment in specialized supplies for these procedures was made by the hospital’s administration, enabling these life-saving surgeries to be performed. The most recent case involved a 56-year-old man who was transported from the interior region of Guyana to GPHC’s Accident & Emergency Department, where he was resuscitated and stabilized. The patient presented with a haemoglobin level of 7g/dl and had lost 5 litres of blood. During the emergency surgery, a large infra-renal aortic and common iliac artery aneurysm with free rupture was encountered. The surgery, which lasted 8 hours, was a success, thanks to the coordinated efforts of the surgical and clinical teams. Dr. Martin expressed his gratitude to the hospital’s administration and the clinical teams for their critical roles in the management of this patient, emphasizing that the success of such a challenging case required seamless teamwork. The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation remains committed to advancing healthcare in Guyana and providing life-saving medical interventions to all in need. This landmark achievement by the Vascular Surgery team is a reflection of GPHC’s ongoing efforts to elevate the standards of care in the region. Related Similar Articles

Sod turned for $275M Phillipai Secondary School Sep 05, 2024 News Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand on Tuesday turning the sod for the construction of the Phillipai Secondary School in Region Seven. Kaieteur News – The Amerindian community of Phillipai in Region Seven will soon get a secondary school building which will be constructed through the government to the tune of $275,230,000. Marking the commencement for the construction of the school on Tuesday was Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand and her team. During her visit to the community, the minister engaged residents where she addressed their concerns and discussed the positive impact the new school will have there. This publication understands that the new school is set to be a modern educational facility featuring three key blocks housing Home Economics and Visual Arts (VA) classrooms, designed to provide students with practical and creative learning experiences. It will have also a well-equipped library, offering a vital resource for research and study, eight classrooms with essential sanitary facilities to ensure a comfortable and hygienic environment for students, among an administrative space and sick bay. Minister Manickchand engaging resident of Phillipai Village. It was reported by the ministry that already an initial mobilization amount of $82,569,000 has been allocated to commence the construction of the school. The project which will be undertaken by contractors Prored Resources and it is anticipated to be completed within eight months. Approximately 240 students are set to benefit from Phillipai and surrounding areas which include villages like Amokokopai, Klaimalu, Wayalayeng, Chimanapai, Emoikeng, Chinoweing, and Wax Creek. During her meeting with the resident, the minister emphasized the government’s commitment to accessible and quality education through various initiatives, including the School Feeding Programme, which ensures that students receive nutritious meals to support their learning. “We introduced the School Feeding Programme because we want to make sure your children learn. And we researched, and our research says that you cannot learn on an empty stomach. Sometimes parents find it hard and we know that. We started it in the mid-2000s when we were a heavily indebted poor country, and even then, we gave hot meals to Amerindian villages. Not Georgetown, but the Amerindian villages, and we became a model for the world. The World Bank used us as a country to show other countries how they can do that successfully,” the Minister explained. Kaieteur News reported that the Phillipai Secondary is one of several secondary schools the Ministry intends to build in the hinterland. It was reported that currently the DC Caesar Fox Secondary School in Waramadong is the only secondary school in the Upper Mazaruni District. In addition to Phillipai, a new secondary school will be built at Jawalla Village and when completed, the two schools will help to ease the overcrowding at the DC Caesar Fox Secondary School. It was also reported that this year the Ministry of Education was allocated some $74.4B, a portion of which will be used for the construction, rehabilitation, extension and maintenance of educational facilities. This newspaper reported that the Ministry has embarked on an aggressive programme to ensure that the nation’s children have access to secondary education. Related Similar Articles

NDC councillors to face prosecution for illegal sale of State lands – AG Sep 05, 2024 News Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall SC Kaieteur News – Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall SC has warned that the Government is looking into the illegal sale of State lands by councillors of Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and other local authorities. During a segment of his weekly ‘Issues in the News’ programme on Tuesday night,  Nandlall, said the government is aware of some NDCs councillors selling public lands illegally.  Nandlall explained that NDCs are not allowed to rent or sell public lands without express permission from the Minister of Local Government. According to the AG, these lands include any state or reserve lands that fall within the area under the management of the NDC. And any councillor renting or selling land is doing so illegally. “Information received is that NDCs are selling lands, and councillors themselves are buying the lands …So, it intends to take serious action in the coming days,” Nandlall said. The AG emphasised that any unsanctioned rental or sale is illegal and both the buyers and sellers are engaging in fraudulent activities. Nandlall issued a public warning to defaulting councillors and buyers. If the warning is not heeded, he said: “Actions will start to unfold in a few days. So, the government will refer such arrangements to the Police so that the buyers and sellers can be prosecuted. The AG emphasized that any unsanctioned rental or sale is illegal and both the buyers and sellers are engaging in fraudulent activities. Related Similar Articles

Shabazz urges fans to roar with the Golden Jaguars today against Suriname Sep 05, 2024 Sports Head Coach Jamal Shabazz and his Assistant Wayne Dover, will have their hands full against a new-look Suriname side. – International football returns to Edinburgh By Rawle Toney Kaieteur Sports – Dubbed the beginning of an important journey in Guyana’s football history, Golden Jaguars head coach Jamaal Shabazz is calling on fans to rally behind the team today as they face Suriname at the National Track and Field Centre, starting at 4:00 PM. Guyana will take on their Dutch-speaking rivals in their opening match of League A of the CONCACAF Nations League—an achievement that Coach Shabazz believes fans should take pride in, urging them to be the 12th man on the field. “The proudest moment of my life is representing Guyana. It’s always a huge honour for me, and I take it very seriously, always putting my best foot forward,” Shabazz told Kaieteur News ahead of the match against what he considers “a formidable opponent.” This will be the first meeting between the two sides since Suriname’s 2-1 victory at the Franklin Essed Stadium in Paramaribo on February 1, 2022. It will also mark the Golden Jaguars’ first home game since their 3-2 win over The Bahamas in League B of the Nations League in September 2023. “As a staff, we put the most pressure on ourselves; we don’t feel any pressure from the outside. We push ourselves because we want to deliver for the country,” Shabazz said, addressing the challenge of performing on CONCACAF’s biggest Nations League stage, especially while playing at home for the first time in a year. “But we can’t do it alone…this is why we need the fans to come out and support the team. This is not a time to be silent. We need the fans to come out and give us that push, and in return, we will give our best,” Shabazz urged Golden Jaguars supporters. The coach also addressed concerns about the 4:00 PM kick-off time, which has raised questions among some dedicated fans. “We’ve put any issues about the start time behind us. We’ve accepted it, and we’re ready. We’re born in the Caribbean, and even those born overseas have Caribbean roots, so the sun is nothing new to us. We’re prepared,” Shabazz assured. Meanwhile, with Middlesbrough FC star Isaiah Jones joining the squad, becoming Shabazz’s highest-profile player, the Trinidadian coach noted that the team’s playing style will not be disrupted but rather enhanced by the attacker’s abilities. “We’re not rigid about systems. As a staff, we don’t believe systems win matches; it’s the tactics, effort, and attitude that players bring on game day and how we select the team,” Shabazz explained. The Golden Jaguars have won their last five home matches across all competitions. Heading into the Nations League with an unbeaten record in League B, Shabazz added, “We’re very fluid; over the last year, it may have seemed like we played with one system, but we’ve been adapting from game to game.” “Over the years, Suriname has been a formidable opponent, and in recent years, they’ve gotten even stronger,” Shabazz said, touching the team’s top-calibre players, including Sheraldo Becker who plays with La Liga side, Real Betis. Shabazz added, “Now we’ve earned the right to be here, and we want to stay. To do that, we need good results, and playing at home is the perfect start. We’re ready to give our best.” Flashback to Guyana’s celebration after clinching a spot in League A of the Nations League. All eyes will be on Jones, the Middlesbrough FC, who previously stated “It’s a privilege to play for your country, especially at home, and to get three points…” He added that he is looking forward to facing his Middlesbrough FC teammate, Anfernee Dijksteel, who will represent Suriname. Omari Glasgow, whose seven goals in five matches earned him the League B top scorer and Best Young Player titles, told Kaieteur News that individual accolades are behind him as he focuses on replicating or bettering his performances, which played a significant role in guiding the Golden Jaguars to League A. “I enjoy going out there and performing for the team; it’s about the team, scoring goals, and I hope to continue scoring and helping the team,” the 20-year-old forward noted. With 16 goals in 24 appearances for the Golden Jaguars, the Chicago Fire FC forward is just two goals shy of Nigel Codrington’s all-time record of 18 goals. However, Glasgow’s only focus is on starting the country’s Nations League campaign with a win, adding “the guys are excited for this journey, and we’re looking forward to victory on Thursday and then moving on to the next match.” Related Similar Articles

Guyana launches National Defence Institute Sep 05, 2024 News Launch of the National Defence Institute. Kaieteur News – Guyana has reached a significant milestone with the launch of the National Defence Institute (NDI), a brainchild of President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali. The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces said the aim is to make the NDI a ‘centre of excellence’ in defence, security, and development studies in Guyana and the Americas. This important institution will play a key role in building capacity and expertise within the nation’s security architecture, offering world-class training to stakeholders locally and regionally. The defence institute was launched on Wednesday, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC). In his keynote address, the head of state said the initiative is part of a holistic approach aimed at protecting Guyana’s interest and safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “From the moment we gained independence, we were subject to threats to our territorial integrity. These challenges have demanded a continuous focus on the defence of our nation. Defence is no longer an option. It is an essential requirement for all those who will play a role in shaping our national defence and security architecture,” he said. The president stated that the institute will not only focus on academic research, but it will produce action plans and analyses on an array of threats and challenges facing the region. Additionally, the defence institute will conduct quarterly reviews on regional issues such as migration patterns and organised gangs that seek to destabilise societies. “We want this to be the premier intelligence, defence, and security agency in the region. We want this institute to be the institute that will be training all our strategic thinkers in defence and security,” the president asserted.   Moreover, significant focus will also be placed on disaster preparedness and response, as well as the impact of climate change on the lives of the citizens of Guyana and the Caribbean. Key focus will also be placed on cyber-security, security risk profiling and gang profiling within Guyana and the Caribbean region. A diverse range of individuals will benefit from training, including Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of various agencies and those involved in management and decision-making positions. “Defence is everyone’s responsibility, security is everyone’s responsibility, and that is why there will be some strategic forces and strategic certificates that are designed to help CEOs, to help the private sector…Guard against various threats that we will confront,” the head of state further underlined.  Meanwhile, Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, said the institute will serve as a beacon for strategic thought and action and will support Guyana’s national development. NDI’s Director, Dr Randolph Persaud and Assistant Director, Dr Seon Levius also delivered remarks, outlining the key focus and importance of the institute. The institute will be linked to the Regional Security System (RSS), the National Defence University in Washington D.C. and the William J. Perry Centre for Defense and Atmospheric Studies. The NDI will be housed at the University of Guyana (UG). (DPI) Related Similar Articles