Government fully committed to challenges

Sep 14, 2016 News

…the fight against suicide, teenage pregnancy, mental health and other social ills
While it seems that not much is being done at the moment, the government since coming into office has been working to help Guyana reduce the many social ills plaguing the country at the moment.

Part of the gathering at the forum which discussed some of the issues affecting youths.

Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence, and Minister of Public Health George Norton, were the leading participants at the Regional Boardroom, Vryman’s Erven, New Amsterdam, hosted to look into the issues of suicide, teenage pregnancy, drug abuse and other social ills.
The activity which was organised by Pandit Suresh Sugrim of the New Jersey Humanitarian Mission brought together a number of activists and other concerned residents in Berbice.
While it was touted that Berbice is one of the areas badly affected and has been dubbed the suicide capital of Guyana both ministers contended that the situation was bad when the government got into office and alot still has to be done.
Both ministers said that studies have to be done in order to move the situation forward. Ministers Lawrence and Norton both pledged to do whatever is possible to help rid the county of the many social ills. Also present at the forum was Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott.
The government is prepared to work with all interested in assisting to develop and change the lives of the less fortunate and vulnerable.
Both Lawrence and Dr Norton promised to work with agencies that are committed to breaking the cycle of poverty through education.
The Minister of Public Health spoke mainly about the difficulties people face and the importance of partnerships in helping to address those challenges. He urged that persons continue to reach out to those who are less fortunate and those who have been overcome by social ills, tragedy or ill health. It was mentioned that there is a need for the restoration of families.
Minister Lawrence said that the government will continue to strive for the improvement in the quality of social services and greater social protection. She extended a hand to all those who are willing to join in partnership for human development and to remind that everyone has a role to play in helping to achieving the desirable society we wish to see.
Regional Chairman David Armogan said that despite many organisations being established to deal with these problems they seem to be going unabated.
He believes that it is because many more organisations are involved in attacking the problems rather than putting resources to find solutions to the problem.
He said that over the years a number of studies, walks, parades and whatever else have been conducted and not many results have been achieved.
He said that although the situation is grave, he urged that a task force be set up to coordinate activities to deal with the issues in the region, instead of doing things haphazardly.

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