Guyana recruiting health professionals to assist hurricane hit BVI

The Government through the office of the Chief Medical Officer is recruiting medical professionals to deploy to the British Virgin Islands (BVI) to provide Medical and Technical support to the hurricane affected country. The personnel will work along with the Civil Defense Commission (CDC), according to the Department of Public Information (DPI).

DPI said the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, disclosed that the persons need to be ready within one month’s time.

Those being recruited are nurses more specifically skilled in the areas of Intensive Care, Emergency Room (ER), Neonatal, Obstetrics, Dialysis, General and Community Services.

Additionally, medical specialists needed include one Pediatrician, one Orthopedic Surgeon, three General Surgeons, one Anesthetist, one Psychiatrist, two ER Specialist Physicians and six General Physicians to work in the ER as well.

Other staff will lend support to the areas of Crisis Intervention and Psychological Support, Hospital Supplies Logistics, Pharmacists and Biomedical and Hospital Maintenance staff, the Department added.

According to DPI, to be part of the team being deployed to the BVI, health professionals need to be in possession of the following: certificates in the various qualifying areas, specialized training certificates, valid government issues identification, a valid license to practice and Health clearance.

The government information arm stated that the move to send Medical Specialists to BVI is part of President David Granger’s commitment to have Guyana support the Caribbean States affected by Hurricane Irma, even as the international community mobilise its response to the disaster.

CDC is expected to meet with Public Health officials shortly to further discuss this process. Meanwhile, a further update on the process will be provided. Qualified persons are asked to consider the opportunity.

The BVI has been left without potable water and electricity since being hit by hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017. Hundreds of Guyanese on the island have appealed to the Guyana Government for aid and assistance with repatriation since they are faced with food shortages and a growing security threat.

News Room has confirmed that Caribbean Governments have started evacuating its citizens. St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are working with the BVI Government to get their citizens to safety.

The BVI is home to some 1500 Guyanese and confirmed reports are that a Guyanese man, Derek Ragnaught, is one of five persons that died on the island as a result of Hurricane Irma.