The University of Guyana as part of its UG Cares Initiative which is geared to support the national effort in combatting Covid-19, has gifted the Palms Geriatric Home, Demerara Mahaica Regional Health Office and Region 6 Regional Democratic Council with a quantity of sanitizing supplies, masks, oximeters and thermometers. The simple but significant handing over activities were held on Monday June 22, 2020 at Region 4, Regional Democratic Office, Triumph, East Coast Demerara, while Region 6 handover was done on June 24, 2020 at the RDC Chairman’s Office in New Amsterdam.

The Regional Executive Officer of Region 4, Ms. Pauline Lucas expressed thanks to the University of Guyana and stated that “the supplies will be used to fight the pandemic COVID-19 on a daily basis in all 31 Health Facilities across the Demerara - Mahaica Region.”

The ceremony was attended by Dr. Emanuel Cummings, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Dr. Christopher Seetram, a representative from Region 4, Regional Health Office and Officers from the Office of Philanthropy Alumni and Civic Engagement (PACE), which organised the funding and logistics in response to letters to Prof. Paloma Mohamed, Vice- Chancellor Xi, from alumni of the University requesting various forms of support in fighting the pandemic.

In photo: Ms. Pauline Lucas, Dr. Seetram and University of Guyana Staff

The Regional Chairman of Region 6, Mr. David Armogan himself an alumnus said that he is thankful to the University of Guyana and that “this is indeed something that is needed in the region to assist in the fight against the pandemic”. The Chairman further stated that “this will go a long way to assist the people of Region 6.” The ceremony was attended by Prof. Gomathinayagam Subramaniam, Director of the University of Guyana Berbice Campus along with Officers from PACE Office. There will be upcoming handing over activities of similar items by the University of Guyana to communities in Linden.

In photo: Mr. David Armogan and UG PACE Senior Officers, Ms. Christine Chowargir, Ms.Trovana Azeez, & Prof Gomathinayagam Subramaniam, Director of the University of Guyana Berbice Campus

To date, the University of Guyana’s administration has taken measures to put the safety of its staff and students first. A decision to restrict physical contact and interaction was taken just after Guyana recorded its first COVID case on March 11, 2020. To this end, specific social work and psychology assessments in the University have been modified to require students to apply their knowledge and expertise to NCOV 19 by supporting the University and University connected including alum who are front line and whose communities are vulnerable. UG Cares is responding to this in 6 ways by partnering with local industry giants GTT and ExxonMobil, volunteers and students (1) Supplying care packages based on a certain set criterion (2) creating and disseminating communication materials especially on prevention, nutrition and care to hard to reach communities (3) providing educational support to children in orphanages (4) providing counselling support to persons in psychological distress and (5) providing analysis and technical support and data for policy and (6) in directly supporting medical and frontline workers who are UG alumni or affiliated. Read more about UG CARES on www.uog.edu.gy or Contact: University of Guyana, Office of Philanthropy, Alumni and Civic Engagement (PACE), Turkeyen Campus on Telephone: 592 623- 3159

Click on the links below to view more photos:

• Region 4: https://www.facebook.com/pg/UGPACEAlumni/photos/?tab=album&album_id=3527746527238278
• Region 6: https://www.facebook.com/pg/UGPACEAlumni/photos/?tab=album&album_id=3534332853246312

Public Relations Division
For the Office of Philanthropy, Alumni and Civic Engagement (PACE)
June 25, 2020