Foreign Affairs
MoU signed for bridge over Corentyne River: Guyana has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Suriname to facilitate the joint bridging of the Corentyne River. The MoU was signed in Paramaribo last week during a three-day state visit by President Irfaan Ali on the occasion of the 45th Independence anniversary of the neighbouring state. “Once constructed the bridge will serve as a permanent physical link between the people of Guyana and Suriname and be of enormous benefit to the Tourism, Transportation and Trade sectors,” Ali told a press conference just before Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd signed the MoU on behalf of Guyana. Surinamese Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin signed on behalf of his government. His President, Chan Santokhi, in describing the proposed bridge said it was important not just for the movement of persons and goods but that is a symbol of the “transition to a new era of wellbeing and prosperity [governed by] freedom, democracy and the rule of law.” Santokhi added that a call for expressions of interest from the international community related to the bridge could go out in a few days. Discussions have he explained centred around inviting EoIs for “the feasibility study, the design, build and maintenance.” “We will do it jointly and decide from all the submissions which is best,” he explained. The two governments also formalized a cooperation mechanism and established “a strategic dialogue co-operation platform”
Health
Two weeks bonus for all healthcare professionals – President: President Irfaan Ali on Thursday announced that all “health care professionals” will now be classified as frontline workers and receive a bonus equivalent to two weeks’ pay as part of his government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ali, while delivering the feature address at the Commissioning of the Leonora Smart Health Care Facility, explained that the reclassification and bonus are part of his September promise to protesting health workers to address their concerns before the end of the year. In September workers at several public health facilities took to the streets calling for all health workers to be classified as “frontline workers” amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and therefore be eligible to receive a risk allowance. They also requested an increase in the risk allowance being offered, access to more personal protective equipment and a raise of pay.
World Bank green lights $7.5M for COVID fight in Guyana: The World Bank last Wednesday approved US$7.5 million ($1.5billion) for the Guyana COVID-19 Emergency Response Project to support the country in tackling the current pandemic. “The World Bank is working with member countries in the Caribbean to help them respond to COVID-19 and prepare for a resilient recovery. This financing for Guyana will help the country tackle the current crisis and handle future emergencies,” said Tahseen Sayed, World Bank Country Director for the Caribbean. She added “The project will strengthen care for COVID-19 patients, improve the country’s ability to identify positive cases, and enhance the health system’s capacity to deliver critical care to vulnerable populations, including the elderly and people with chronic conditions.” A press release from the World Bank said that the Guyana COVID-19 Emergency Response Project will boost laboratory capacity, support screening and surveillance, bolster contact tracing, and equip healthcare facilities for more effective treatment and care of COVID-19 patients. The project, the release said, will also include activities specifically targeted to reach local communities across the country and in the hinterland through expansion of contact tracing and psychosocial support to vulnerable households. Risk communication materials will be translated into local languages to ensure that vulnerable groups can tap reliable information about the virus and its spread. The project will also contribute to preparing the health system for the effective deployment of a safe and approved COVID-19 vaccine.
Investment