PPP-CIVIC

Scores of Guyanese today benefited from free eye screening as the Ministry of Health continues to place emphasis on quality health care. The service which was offered free of cost saw a team of trained eye specialists undertaking the eye care mission at the Laparkan Group of Companies (Forgarty’s Shopping Complex) on Water St.
The Health Ministry’s initiative, paved the way for many to be tested for various eye ailments, as the administration continues to fulfill a promise made in its 2006 manifesto, to offer free health care to all.

Health Minister Dr. Bheri Ramsaran who was at the launch of the programme, lauded Laparkan for coming onboard and for allowing the Ministry to use a section of their business to house the eye outreach. 
“Laparkan and the Government of Guyana have had a long and prosperous relation and will continue in the years to come to collaborate. This service which is being offered free of cost will significantly assist persons who cannot afford to pay for the service,” he said.
While corporate companies have signed on to promote proper health and wellbeing, Minister Ramsaran stated that commercial banks have signalled their interest in coming onboard with the programme.

The recently concluded VIA  service at the same venue saw 85 women being screened for cervical cancer, five of whom were tested positive with symptoms which might be cancerous and were attended to.  
The VIA service which offers the opportunity for women to be screened, diagnosed and treated in one visit saw approximately 18,000 women being screened for cervical cancer at the various centers across the country in 2011. 
The Health Ministry has also made available a vaccine to fight against the effects of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which causes cervical cancer. This vaccine, Gardasil, is administered to young girls between the ages of 11 and 13 years.

On January 31, a blood drive will be undertaken to assist the National Blood Transfusion Services. 
“The Blood bank has been in trouble for a while now and the Ministry will continue to host blood drives throughout the country to assist in this regard,” Minister Ramsaran said.

The largest independent oil and gas Company in the United States (US), Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, regards Guyana as a country with a great deal of promise in the oil and gas sector.
International Business Developer of Anadarko Richard Lapin accompanied by another official of the company and, Head of the Petroleum Unit of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Noel Dennison met President Ramotar to renew its interest in petroleum exploration in Guyana. Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Robert Persaud also joined the meeting.
Last September Vice President, Business Development of Anadarko, Ian J. Cooling led a delegation to former President Bharrat Jagdeo  to signal the company’s interest in what is ranked one of the highly underexplored basins in the world.

Speaking briefly to the Government Information Agency (GINA) Lapin said that although there is much preliminary work still to be undertaken, the oil and gas outlook in Guyana is positive.
Anadarko had embarked on a geological assessment of the region in its frontier quest and believes that its technical and financial capacity will be a value added to the emergence of the oil and gas sector on the local shores.
The Guyana Government had also received a proposal from Prime Energy LLC- Caribbean, a US based petroleum company to construct the first ever oil refinery in Guyana which officials say will create employment opportunities for approximately 100 persons.
President of the company Jerry Brooks had explained that the interest to establish a refinery in Guyana was stimulated by the fact that several countries around the world are looking to 20,000 barrels a day refineries for their countries given the high cost incurred to transport crude oil to the US for refining. 
Meanwhile, several internationally renowned oil exploration companies are on the hunt for oil in Guyana’s territorial waters which is considered the second most attractive under-explored basin in the world. 
Repsol, a Spanish company is exploring through a joint venture with Tullow Oil, a London-based Company, CGX of Canada and YPF for the drilling of the Jaguar well.
The ExxonMobil/Shell joint venture is pursuing a drilling project on a deepwater offshore block and has since shot a large seismic survey, which is soon to be examined as a guide for the future.

The first ever Women Miner’s Association in the Caribbean was officially launched on Wednesday, highlighting gender equality and the importance women play in society.
The mining industry plays in integral role in the development of Guyana and, President of Association, Simone Broomes assured that the organisation will work to represent the right of women miners and women who work in hinterland communities.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security Jennifer Webster, commended the Organisation for the effort, noting that it will aid a significant number of women in empowering themselves.
Government as part of its policy formulation is working to have poverty, especially among women reduced and as such, has implemented programmes such as the single parent micro credit Women of Worth Programme.
“The third MDG goal which deals with the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women, highlights that all countries should support gender equality initiatives and Guyana is proud of its record,” Minister Webster told the gathering at the Sea Breeze Hotel, Kitty.
Underscoring the importance of mining, Minister Webster said that from 1980 to 2010, the contributions of mining and quarrying to the country’s GDP, ranged from 10 to 22 percent; with the contribution of gold alone reaching a 12.5 percent for 2010.
She encouraged the group to always define their focus, not to over expend themselves and to have collaborative approaches with related organisations with the aim of maximizing and addressing the needs of women in the mining sector.
“A multi-stakeholder approach would be a key strategy to your organisation’s success…I would like to urge all stakeholders to come on board, so that we can work together to address the problematic issue of enforcement to prosecution,” she urged.
The Human Services Minister told the association’s members that a multi-stakeholder approach is a key strategy to their success, as it will enable women miners to voice their concerns as well as make representations, so that Government can provide assistance in a timely manner.
Citing the need for more awareness on domestic violence,  she said shortly the Ministry will be re-launching the domestic violence campaign to address the scourge.
Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, David Devine in highlighting the tremendous potential mining holds for women in Guyana; pledged his Government’s commitment to their development.
To capitalize on the potential, Mr. Devine said investment is essential, since the role of women is becoming even more vibrant, globally.
“Canada has a long and important relationship with Guyana and in particular the mining sector. Many of our companies have found a second home in Guyana and are working to further develop the industry,” he said.
Meanwhile, Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, Karen Livan stated that the organisation is a sectoral one which will work to eradicate the negative outlook of mining.
She said its formation indicates the sterling role women play in mineral development and mining in Guyana and as such, they must see themselves as leaders and not followers.
The launching of the association under the theme, ‘Expanding Opportunities for Women Miners’ came at a time when gold price on the world market is at an all-time high.