Georgetown, Guyana – (November 24, 2016) As Guyana prepares to observe National Disability Week, President David Granger, today, met with a group of persons with disabilities to hear their concerns and to discuss with them ways and means through which the Government can help to make their lives easier. The group was led by President of the Able/Disable Athletics Club, Mr. William France.
During the meeting, which took place at the Ministry of the Presidency, the group was given the opportunity to freely discuss some of the issues affecting persons with disabilities generally as well as to highlight their personal challenges.
The President urged the group to submit in detail to his office, a list of areas requiring government intervention, which will then be forwarded to the relevant government agencies for action to be taken. “There is a real need and we must have a mechanism in place to address you individual concerns,” the Head of State said.
Earlier in the week, the administration’s commitment to assisting persons with disabilities was illustrated when a mobility scooter was donated to the President of the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities, Mr. Leon Walcott.
Mr. Walcott had written to the President seeking his assistance after he was rendered immobile when the scooter he was using broke down. Shortly after, he was called to the Ministry of the Presidency where he was presented with a refurbished scooter by Principal Assistant Secretary-Administration at the Ministry, Ms. Roxanne Barratt.
Additionally, the Government of Guyana is working closely with the Cuban Government to construct a state-of-the-art medical service and care facility. Once completed, the 24 hour facility will boast modern facilities that will cater to the medical, educational and social needs of differently-abled persons. It will also be staffed by doctors and specialists in this field.
National Disability Week will be observed in Guyana from Sunday, November 27.
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