The Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) has recognised the Greater Guyana Initiative (GGI) for supporting a programme which provided cancer screening services to approximately 2,000 women and girls, particularly in Indigenous, hinterland and underserved communities.
The award was presented at GRPA’s Pinktober Brunch on Sunday at the Royal Hotel in Georgetown, held in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, according to a release from GGI.
GRPA Executive Director Kobe Smith said the funding had enabled the association to deliver 2,000 cancer screening services in 200 communities over the past 12 months.
“We’re super grateful to the Greater Guyana Initiative, which is an undertaking of the Stabroek Block co-venturers…because, over the past 12 months, GRPA was able to deliver 2,000 cancer screening services in 200 communities. We hope that other private sector entities will use that as impetus and motivation to expand more access to care,” Smith said.
The support was provided through the project “Empowering Communities: HPV Education and Screening for Indigenous and Under-Resourced Populations in Guyana.” It enabled GRPA to take human papillomavirus (HPV) education and screening services beyond its clinics into communities in Regions One, Four, Seven, Eight and Nine.
Accepting the award, GGI Lead Alicia Bess-Anderson said the partnership had helped reach women and girls who might otherwise have had limited access to screening.
“Together, we have brought cancer screening closer to communities across the country, reaching women and girls in rural and hinterland communities and regions who might otherwise have had limited access to these critical services,” she said.
Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony, who also addressed the event, said partnerships were helping to address gaps in access to healthcare.
“That’s where organizations such as GRPA have been helping us to fill that gap. And with the financing from the Greater Guyana Initiative, they have been able to go to places where we have had some challenges, but when we combine our efforts, we can meet many more people,” Anthony said.
The brunch brought together cancer survivors, healthcare professionals, advocates, government representatives and corporate sponsors to promote cancer prevention, screening and early detection.
GGI is a ten-year, US$100 million initiative funded by the Stabroek Block co-venturers—ExxonMobil Guyana, Hess Guyana Exploration and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana. It supports programmes in education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, capacity building and economic diversification
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