Greater Toronto

By Adit Kumar
The food and entertainment were good but the graphic video depicting the needs of the pediatric unit of the Georgetown Hospital in Guyana must have moved the capacity crowd of about four hundred persons at the Woodbine Banquet Hall to even further support yet another deserving charitable project. This took place at the fundraising dinner and dance held by Guyana Help the Kids on October 22 last.
The program was emceed by Mahendra Singh, a board member of Guyana Help the Kids, who delivered the program well within its slated time frame. Dr Narendra Singh, who heads the organization, did a power point presentation in which he highlighted the background of the project and identified the areas of urgent need in the project. Also in attendance was High Commissioner to Guyana, Mr Harry Narine Nawbatt who thanked and commended the organization for undertaking the project. A video message from Dr Frank Anthony, Minister of Sport and Culture in Guyana, who could not attend the event, was also broadcast. He also thanked and commended the project organizers on behalf of the Government of Guyana. Dr Andrea Hunter of McMaster University, who participated in training of the doctors in Guyana also spoke of her experiences in Guyana working on the project. Mr Tallim Bacchus of Human Concern International (HCI) also spoke and gave his commitment of HCI to the project.
This occasion again dable to network within their professional circles and tap into the resources here to support worthy causes at home. Dr Narendra Singh stated that the goal of the organization is to work in collaboration with the Guyana Government and the University of Guyana to decrease infant mortality in that country. A wide cross section of the community here, including persons of Guyanese and non-Guyanese origins, has already rallied behind the cause. The Hospital for Sick Kids, McMaster University and Dr Singh's home base Humber River Regional Hospital are all committed to the project.
Through its efforts Guyana Help the Kids has already upgraded the Neonatal unit of the Georgetown Hospital with incubators and monitors - basic equipment required for the provision of adequate health care for newborns that were not there in the first place - and is committed to complementing it with biomedical and respiratory care support. Dr Singh indicated that "we have developed a partnership with Humber River regional Hospital to help to support equipment from the biomedical point of view and they've agreed to assist us to ensure that this equipment that we are sending continue to function many years from now."
The training of doctors has also kicked off and so far 5 residents have been admitted to its training program in Guyana. It has also begun assisting PAHO with specialized nursing training and has commenced the development of a Respiratory Care Program to support premature babies.
According to Dr Singh the organization plans to similarly extend its support to the New Amsterdam and Linden Hospitals and other regional health centres at a later stage.
Wondering how can you help? Dr Singh suggested that "you have already helped by being here this evening and listening to our cause, contributing by purchasing a ticket and hopefully after this evening you will spread the word. We need people with medical skills, nursing skills, biomedical and respiratory skills. But we also need all of you with the logistical skills to put this program together so those of you who would like to join our organization please let us know." He modestly stated that "I implore you to continue to support the charities that you currently do. However, should you have additional funds that you would like to donate I believe that this is a very good cause."
The Guyana Help the Kids needs your support to achieve its goals. For more information visit its website www.guyanahelpthekids.com.emonstrated the extent to which the Guyanese Diaspora has been