The NGO National Coordinating Coalition Inc, in partnership with the Ministry of Health National TB and HIV Programs has conducted a five days outreach to Region One Barima Waini. The team was led by Dr. Quacy Grant and supported by Knester Castello, Disease Control Supervisor, Arielle Gordon Monitoring & Evaluation Officer, GBV Case Navigator Vanessa Holder and Ishaka Jackman ICT Consultant of the NGO NCC.
On the first and second day services were provided to over forty (40) persons in Port Kaituma, Arakaka, and Annabissi. The third day the group journeyed to the Matthews Ridge. The fourth day the team took services to central Baramita, Black Water Settlement, and the Baramita Primary School.
The journey, specifically to Black Water, involved trekking through the forest for almost thirty minutes to reach a gathering of four households. On the final day twenty-seven ( 27) persons in the mining community of Eyelash were screened and tested for TB and HIV.
This successful outreach initiative demonstrates the ongoing commitment to bringing essential healthcare services directly to remote communities in Region One. Through reaching over 67 individuals across multiple areas, including some of the most challenging-to-access areas like Black Water, the collaborative effort between the NGO National Coordinating Coalition Inc. and the Ministry of Health has made progress in expanding TB and HIV screening and testing coverage. This mission not only provided crucial health services but also reinforced the importance of maintaining a strong presence in these communities to ensure no one is left behind in Guyana’s healthcare delivery system.