Three regions receive ATVs for AIDS, TB and malaria fight

Three regions on Friday received All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), which will be used in fight against tuberculosis (TB), HIV/AIDS and malaria.

From left, Dr Jeetendra Mohanlall, National TB Programme Manager; Gavin Gounga, Deputy Region Executive Officer Region Eight; Dr Vishal Ramjas, Region One; Permanent Secretary Trevor Thomas; Region Nine Regional Executive Officer (ag) Kerwin Ward and Dr Morris Edwards of the Health Sector Development Unit.

According to a Ministry of Public Health press release, the ATVs were donated by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which provides funding for local initiatives aimed at countering these three diseases. The ATVs will be used in Region One (Barima/Waini), Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni) and Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo), Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health said during Friday’s handing-over ceremony at the ministry’s  headquarters on Brickdam, Georgetown.

The release said officials in the three beneficiary regions were cautioned to care for and monitor the use of the equipment.

According to the release, Thomas echoed the concerns of PAHO Representative Dr William Adu Krow, who earlier this month raised the issue of abuse of donor gifts to the sector by some ministry employees.

“These gifts must be used for their intended purposes,” Thomas was quoted as saying.