Fort Island, formerly known as Flag Island, located some 16 kilometres from the mouth of the Essequibo River, was once the capital of the colonies of Essequibo and Demerara during the 16th and 17th centuries.
During its early occupation by the Dutch, the island was known as Flag Island because of a large flag that was flown there as a guide for ships.
The mighty flag is no longer in existence today. According to the Guyana National Trust, during the 17th century Essequibo blossomed from a trading post to a colony and planters began to migrate to the mouth of the Essequibo River.
As such, a centre of government and defence was built to oversee effective governance and to protect the Dutch interest in the Essequibo.
On Friday, 25th August, 2023 residents of Fort Island, including children benefited from a medical outreach hosted by West Demerara Regional Hospital Medical Outreach Team. This was the first medical outreach conducted at Fort Island.
Residents benefited from free health services such as physiotherapy, blood pressure testing, blood sugar testing, ear, nose, throat, dental examination, Paediatric services, pharmacy, general doctor, and vaccination. Residents took the opportunity to donate blood at the blood drive.
A mini clothes drive and back-to-school drive was also done.
Mr. Calvin Roberts, coordinated the Medical outreach. He stated that his team was composed of enthusiastic and resilient young medical professionals who are passionate about serving their country and promoting the United Nations SDG-3( Good Health and Well Being).
The medical team focused on providing quality, specialised, people-centred health care, thus fulfilling the Health Ministry’s mandate of making health care services accessible to all, especially those living in the riverine and/or far flung areas.
“It’s more than the usual outreach and this is the direction where we are going, taking healthcare services to people who may not have access to these services readily as opposed to those on the coastland,” Mr. Roberts told this publication.
The specialist outreach was started in 2021 under the directive of the Director General, Ministry of health, Dr. Vishnu Mahadeo along with a team of doctors and specialist visited Saxacalli in 2021,where the specialist outreach was birthed and residents benefited from blood sugar testing, physiotherapy, blood pressure testing, gynaecological examination, ophthalmology, ear, nose and throat checks amongst other specialties.
Nurse in charge of Fort Island, expressed gratitude to Mr. Calvin Roberts and Team for fulfilling their mandate once again. She thanked the team for their service, time, and donation towards today’s event.
Roberts expressed thanks to their collaborative partners Ms.Shameena Haniff from CIOG and Ms.Ulex Fung from Desinco Trading limited for their unwavering support and donations towards making the outreach a huge success.
