Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Sonia Roopnauth with Laboratory Professionals who received awards
Dr Ramotar, PHSG expert to the right of Prime Minister Samuel Hinds
Laboratory professionals awarded for their contributions
GINA (Government Information Agency - Guyana) - Archives April 29th 2006
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Sonia Roopnauth with Laboratory Professionals who received awards
Dr Ramotar, PHSG expert to the right of Prime Minister Samuel Hinds
Several dedicated laboratory professionals and organisations were awarded for their contributions to the development of quality laboratory services at a ceremony on April 28, concluding a week of activities to mark Laboratory Week.
Observed under the theme “Providing answers guiding cures”, several activities were undertaken to promote Laboratory Week, April 23-29.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds during the presentation at Le Meridien Pegasus hotel said that based on the striving efforts of laboratory practitioners, he is optimistic that the technology is improving locally.
He said that their input should be recognised since the results they provide to physicians are extremely important in helping to identify particular diagnoses.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Sonya Roopnauth congratulated the awardees and urged that they influence other inspiring practitioners, while pointing out the importance of their contributions to Guyana’s health system.
The tests they conduct serve as an intermediary between the patient and the physician, according to Roopnauth.
The Permanent Secretary explained that the government has placed significant emphasis on new equipment and training and there is an ongoing initiative by the government to improve the regional laboratory services.
Lifetime award presentations were given to Dr. Dickson Hooper and Jenny Constantine La Fleur, who have both been part of the medical fraternity for over 40 years. Dickenson is a full-time lecturer and laboratory tutor while Ms La Fleur lectures in the language of medicine for medical transcriptions.
The non-resident laboratory professional award was given to Karam Ramotar for his work as a molecular microbiologist at the Ottawa Hospital in Canada.
Dr. Ramotar is active in research and is currently part of a collaborative group studying biofilms in the pathogens infecting cystic fibrosis patients.
Other awards were given to persons in the areas of continuous guidance in the quality improvement of laboratories nationally, dedicated services in blood banking, outstanding work, professional work and professional advancement.
During Laboratory week, the Ministry of Health endorsed several laboratory testing activities at various labs around Georgetown. It extended the activities to other private companies and organisations. Nigel’s Supermarket, Scotia Bank and Bounty Meat Centre joined the free testing campaign.
Laboratory Week activities started in Linden where the Prime Minister joined laboratory workers from across the country in a public march from the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground to the newly renovated bus-park in Linden.