The Government of Guyana (GoG) has given the go-ahead for private hospitals to import Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) test kits to do rapid testing, says Head of the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF), Prime Minister (PM) Moses Nagamootoo. He made this disclosure during a virtual press conference, earlier today.
“We are working in cooperation with the Private Sector, and we have now given the greenlight for the private hospitals to import their own testing kits, so they can supplement and do rapid testing, both State and non-State institutions,” he said.
His disclosure comes at a time when there is clamour for such measures to be taken. Some have argued that this is needed as they question the government’s capacity to deal with this pandemic. Guyana has so far confirmed 40 cases of the virus, which includes six deaths.
The government is also trying to get some space from the private institutions, the PM said.
“We are also approaching private hospitals to designate some of their space as space for treatment and management for cases affected by the Coronavirus Disease,” he told media operatives.
Meanwhile, calls have also been made to the government to have specialized personnel from Cuba come to Guyana to assist with the COVID-19 fight. Health Minister, Volda Lawrence confirmed this, earlier this week. Nagamootoo, however, said that while he is aware of these calls, the task force has not been formally approached to “lift” or give clearance for the arrival of these individuals. He assumed that the Health Ministry is still assessing whether it needs such assistance.
