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The 20th Chinese Medical Team last weekend officially launched its “Healthy Village” initiative at Malali Village in Region 10.

The initiative, themed “Hope in Action,” is designed to provide free medical consultations to 15 remote villages.

The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs identified the villages the Chinese doctors will work in, and they also have the support of the Ministry of Health.

The villages that will benefit from the initiative are located in Regions 3 to 6 and Region 10.

On Saturday, the team travelled to Malali village, situated about 80 kilometres south of Linden.

Dr. Han Yun, who specialises in obstetrics and gynecology, exchanged gifts with little Jisel. Dr. Han received a painting, drawn by the little girl herself, of her family’s pet cat, and the little girl received a mosquito-repellent sachet made by the China medical team. (Photo: Dr Wang Lin)

The consultations were held at the Malali Primary School, where classrooms were transformed into makeshift medical consultation rooms.

The team comprised 11 specialists covering a wide range of disciplines, including general surgery, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, obstetrics and gynaecology, nephrology, anaesthesia and pain medicine, burns and plastic surgery, traditional Chinese medicine, radiology, and pathology.

In addition to specialist consultations, the medical team provided vital health services such as blood pressure and blood glucose measurements.

Traditional Chinese medicine techniques, including acupuncture and tuina (therapeutic massage), were also offered, providing residents with holistic healthcare options.

Ophthalmologist Dr. Huang Xiaobo examines the eyes of Mr. Hanun Chattergoon, the village chief of Malali. (Photo: Dr Wang Lin)

The outreach benefited over 30 villagers, offering much-needed medical attention and advice.

At the conclusion of the consultations, Dr. Du Boxiang, the team leader, presented the village head with essential medical supplies. The donation included sphygmomanometers, medical masks, and hand sanitisers, aiming to support ongoing community health efforts.

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Ukraine said it is ready to accept the US proposal to enact an immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire after Tuesday’s peace talks with the United States.

The proposed ceasefire will be extendable by mutual agreement of both parties and is subject to acceptance and implementation by Russia, a joint statement noted.

The statement added that the United States “will immediately lift the pause on intelligence sharing and resume security assistance to Ukraine”, a joint statement from the US and Ukraine. The statement was shared by the US state department.

According to the BBC, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke to reporters following the talks with a Ukrainian delegation during a visit to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

He said the US has made an offer, which the Ukrainians have accepted, “to enter into a ceasefire and enter into negotiations to end this conflict in a way that is enduring and sustainable”

He says they will “take this offer now to the Russians” and they “hope” they will say yes.

“The ball is in their court,” Rubio adds, and tells reporters that President Trump wants the war to end.

This is a developing story. 

 

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The National Track and Field Facility erupted in a kaleidoscope of colors and boundless energy as the inaugural National Secondary Schools Track & Field Championships 2025 officially commenced, signaling a new era for youth athletics in Guyana.

The opening ceremony featured impassioned speeches from key government officials, including Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr.

Their words resonated with the young athletes, inspiring ambition and unwavering support.

Minister Manickchand’s message was one of empowerment and belief. “We believe you are talented and we are going to nurture that…each of you here is already a winner,” she declared, emphasizing the inherent potential of every athlete present.

She further highlighted the championships’ strategic timing, aligning them with the CARIFTA Games to maximize athlete preparation for regional competition.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand (PHOTO: Ministry of Education) 

Minister Ramson Jr. echoed this sentiment, framing the event as a “beginning” – a crucial stepping stone for aspiring athletes to seize opportunities and achieve their dreams.

“This is the launchpad to higher heights,” he proclaimed, underscoring the event’s role in propelling athletes to the next level.

He also provided a glimpse into the future, revealing ambitious plans for facility expansion. The Ministry of Education will soon have the option to host future championships in New Amsterdam or Linden, as both stadiums are slated for completion by mid-year.

Additionally, the warm-up track at Leonora is on track for completion in May, further enhancing the training infrastructure available to athletes.

The opening day’s festivities reached a crescendo with a breathtaking Secondary Schools District Parade.

Students from across Guyana marched with pride, showcasing their school spirit through vibrant costumes and synchronized displays.

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Guyana’s track and field athletes will receive a major boost next month with the arrival of Olympic gold medallist Felix Sanchez.

Sanchez will provide elite training to the nation’s top talents.

Sanchez, the two-time Olympic 400m hurdles champion, will be in Guyana from April 22 to 28, providing expert coaching as part of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport’s Academy programme.

Minister Charles Ramson Jr., speaking at the National Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships, confirmed that standout performers from the event will be included in Sanchez’s training programme.

“You have all the reasons in the world to come and win at this Championship,” Minister Ramson Jr. said, emphasising the opportunities available to athletes. “The investments we are making is for a reason, it is not just that we believe in you, it is that we know that without you are not going to realise your potential.”

Sanchez, a decorated athlete with Olympic titles from 2004 and 2012, and World Championship wins in 2001 and 2003, will bring his vast experience to guide and inspire Guyanese athletes.

This visit follows a series of initiatives to develop Guyana’s track and field capabilities.

In May 2024, four coaches from the United States conducted a training programme, sponsored by the Guyanese government and the National Sports Commission, in collaboration with the Athletics Association of Guyana.

These coaches worked with local counterparts to assess Olympic prospects.

Furthermore, in July, the U.S. Embassy, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, the National Sports Commission, and the Athletics Association of Guyana, launched the 2024 U.S. Sports Envoy Programme.

This programme, targeting young athletes aged 10-17 from Regions 5, 6, and 10, saw American Olympian Mechelle Lewis Freeman and Coach Khadevis Robinson conduct a four-day clinic at the National Track and Field Centre.

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For the first 11 years of his life, Norris Cummings relied on a wheelchair, having been born with cerebral palsy. During an interview with the News Room, Norris said he became determined to walk by watching those around him move freely. By age 12, he was walking.

“I was in a wheelchair, and I took it upon myself that, despite whatever, I needed to move around, I needed to walk. So, it was a bit of determination, I would say, with help from God.

“I pushed myself to walk, and I got a couple of burst heads, but eventually, I conquered it,” a proud Cummings said.

Due to his condition, Norris cannot use his upper body and does everything with his feet. A decade ago, he found his calling and passion—disk jockeying. Known as “DJ Foot,” Norris shares how he views his condition not as a limitation but as a source of strength and resilience.

“I use my foot to do almost everything—I use my foot to write and eat—so why couldn’t I try this? So I tried it, and I started off small with a small DJ control board, and I kept elevating myself.

“I wanted to get into it despite my disability and prove to the world that I can do it with my foot,” Cummings said. But it was also about inspiring other persons with disabilities, showing them they can also achieve great things.

Cummings is now a father to a beautiful and healthy baby girl. He is also engaged and is calling for more support from both the government and private sector for persons living with disabilities.

“We need to support persons with disabilities more. I am not the only talented one out there,” Cummings said.

Speaking directly to the government, he added: “Create more opportunities for us, whatever field we are good in. I encourage the government to put things in place. They need to incorporate us into some of the events. We need equal opportunities to earn as well—like, you know, I have a family.”

Norris ‘DJ Foot’ Cummings and his family

He faces challenges when it comes to transportation.

“It is a lot of money to travel because you gotta take taxis,” Cummings said.

Throughout it all, the support of his family never failed, especially from his mum.

“My family supports me to the best that they can, and I must give thanks to all of them—my brothers and my sister.

“My mother, oh my, she is the one who has been behind me from day one. She never let up on me.”

It was his mother who pushed him to pursue a good education, where he learnt to read.

“She always made sure I was like any other normal child. She wanted the best for me,” Cummings said.

He attended the Diamond Special Needs School, where he attained a level of education, and then, from 16 years old, Cummings attended the Open Doors Training Centre and studied information technology. After graduating, he went on to Global Technology and completed courses in graphic design.

Now, he plays for corporate and other events and hosts his show, The Foot Vibes, twice monthly on 93.1 Real FM.

After relatives started posting videos on social media of him playing, Sterling Products Limited reached out and has been sponsoring his show for the past five years.

“Despite what the challenge is, there is always a way you can do something,” Cummings said.

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The rollout of the government’s health care vouchers for 2025 began on Monday with the signing of agreements between the Ministry of Health and dozens of private hospitals, clinics, and health service providers. The voucher programmes include eye testing and spectacles, cervical cancer screening, and universal health care. It is expected that 500,000 persons, including children and adults, will benefit.

The vouchers are intended to help citizens access much-needed health care and social services.

Director of Non-Communicable Diseases, Dr Lachmie Lall, revealed a detailed plan for how the voucher programmes will be implemented.

Director of Non-Communicable Diseases, Dr Lachmie Lall

After a patient is issued a voucher and visits one of the health facilities, vital information will be recorded in a spreadsheet and sent to the Ministry of Health.

“Once you have completed your testing, you update all the information into the spreadsheet and then prepare your invoices to be sent to the ministry.

“When you send your information in the spreadsheet, our team from the Medical Treatment Department will verify all the voucher numbers and share the verified data with the Surveillance Team,” Dr Lall explained.

The Surveillance Team will then cross-check a Google document, also shared by the health facilities, containing patients’ information for an additional verification process.

“Once verified, they will sign off on the invoices, which will then proceed to the Permanent Secretary for approval, and subsequently to the Accounts Department for processing.

“We hope this will be a more seamless process this year. Last year, we recognised several setbacks, and we know that many providers received payments late,” Dr Lall acknowledged.

The voucher programmes include eye testing and spectacles, cervical cancer screening, and universal health care.

She urged all health care providers to input information promptly to ensure timely payments.

Dr Lall further stated that the ministry will conduct monthly check-ins with all providers to address any concerns as the programmes progress.

The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Malcolm Watkins, noted during his remarks that the ministry is also focusing on improving service accessibility for persons living in remote and hinterland areas.

“The Ministry of Health recognises the important partnership between the private sector and the role it plays in keeping our nation healthy, including taking preventative measures to identify critical illnesses before they worsen,” Watkins said.

The voucher programmes include eye testing and spectacles, cervical cancer screening, and universal health care.

With the start of the programmes, additional notices and signs will be installed at the facilities where the services are offered.

 

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A fisherman was found dead with a wound to his abdomen near a drain at Crabwood Creek on Monday morning.

The deceased has been identified as Umar Jumai, 40, of Lot 103 Grant 1806, Crabwood Creek, Corentyne Berbice.

His sister, Nazima Jumai, told reporters that she received the shocking news around 7:30 am from a friend.

Concerned for her brother’s safety, she sent one of her sons to investigate, who confirmed the tragic discovery of Umar’s body.

Nazima arrived at the scene shortly after, and the police were promptly notified to begin their investigation.

“When I went, I saw my brother folded up in the culvert. When they took him out, you could see the blood spraying from his belly,” she related.

Undertakers later retrieved the body and transported it to Skeldon Public Hospital.

“I need justice for my brother because my brother didn’t take anyone’s life, and no one should have taken his,” she said.

Nazima stated that she had seen Umar alive just a week earlier and emphasised that he had recently returned from a fishing trip.

Umar was a father of three.

According to information from a reliable source, a fisherman and another individual have been arrested for questioning as law enforcement continues to pursue the details surrounding Umar’s death.

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The Georgetown Cricket Umpires and Scores Association (GCUSA) on March 9 teamed up with FL Sport and the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) to host a Level One course for aspiring cricket scorers.

The one-day activity was hosted at the National Racquet Centre on Woolford Avenue in Georgetown, with 40 participants from across the three counties.

Notably, 26 females were part of the programme.

Click here to view more photos 

Participants were exposed to the fundamentals of book and electronic scoring (Photo: News Room/Avenash Ramzan/March 9, 2025)

The course was designed for beginners and enthusiasts who wanted to develop their scoring skills.

Participants were exposed to the fundamentals of cricket scoring, symbols, techniques and best practices.

Facilitator Dr. Ronaldo McGarrell (Photo: News Room/Avenash Ramzan/March 9, 2025)

The course facilitators were Dr. Ronaldo McGarrell and John Ramsingh.

Ramsingh, founder of FL Sport, said: “I think this is a very timely initiative. At FL Sport we’re very pleased to be part of it, the driving force behind it really. Long ago cricket was a season, now cricket is all year round, and there is that demand for scorers.”

Facilitator John Ramsingh addressing the participants (Photo: News Room/Avenash Ramzan/March 9, 2025)

Public Relations Officer of the GCUSA Chandraban Amit Rajnarine said: “We’ve been looking at a strategic plan in which we offer training in various disciplines within the cricket fraternity. We’re happy to have persons from across Guyana.”

“There was a worry that this would be just a Demerara based training, but we’re very happy to see so many persons from Essequibo and Berbice.”

Chandraban Amit Rajnarine (standing right) and Dr. Niebert Blair (standing left) of the GCUSA interacting with participants (Photo: News Room/Avenash Ramzan/March 9, 2025)

At the completion of the course, participants received a certificate to symbolise their newfound knowledge on scoring.

Just a few weeks ago, the GCUSA collaborated with the GCB to host a Level One course for aspiring Match Referees.

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Under the radiant sunshine and amidst the lush greenery of the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC), golfers gathered for the highly anticipated Citizens Bank Golf Tournament- a premier event showcasing skill, endurance and sportsmanship.

Sponsored by Citizens Bank Guyana Limited, this competition brought together seasoned players and rising talents, all vying for top honours in a tournament marked by a competitive spirit and impressive performances.

Feroze Barkat emerged as the winner, securing first place with a net score of 68, while Sheldon Davis 69 and Imtiaz Subhan 70 rounded off the top three.

The thrilling contest kept spectators and fellow competitors on edge, as each golfer battled not just the course but also their own precision and mental fortitude.

LGC President Anasha Ally expressed deep appreciation for Citizens Bank’s ongoing commitment to the sport.

“Thank you to Citizens Bank for being a wonderful sponsor. You’re friends of the club, and you’re patrons of this club, and we’d love to encourage you to continue doing this for decades to come.”

Citizens Bank’s Marketing Manager, Mikhail J. McKenzie, emphasised the alignment between golf and professional success.

“Golf is about concentration, focus, and mental toughness. It’s a sport that hones discipline- skills that translate into any career. The Lusignan course looks fantastic, even comparable to those in the USA, and we are proud to be a part of this event. We look forward to continuing our support for the Lusignan Golf Club.”

The Citizens Bank Golf Tournament is more than a competition; it is a testament to the bank’s unwavering commitment to community enrichment and the growth of sports in Guyana.

Through this partnership, Citizens Bank fosters not only the game of golf but also values of perseverance and excellence- qualities that extend far beyond the fairways.

With another successful tournament in the books, LGC continues to establish itself as the home of premier golfing action in Guyana.

Enthusiasts and newcomers alike are encouraged to visit the club, immerse themselves in the sport, and be part of a growing legacy.

For more information on upcoming tournaments and membership opportunities, visit the Lusignan Golf Club or follow them on social media.

Results Summary:

1^st Place: Feroze Barkat- Gross 78, HC 10, Net 68

2^nd Place: Sheldon Davis- Gross 93, HC 24, Net 69

3^rd Place: Imtiaz Subhan- Gross 86, HC 16, Net 70

Nearest-to-the-Pin: Ronald Bulkan

Lusignan Golf Club remains the heart of Guyana’s golf scene, where every tournament brings new excitement, new challenges, and new champions. (Press Release)

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