Ministry, environment agency join forces on human health areas
The Ministry of Health and Labour and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in the Boardroom of the Ministry of Health. The agreement was signed in the interest of implementing environmentally-sound practices for the preservation of human health and well-being. Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Health, Doorga Persaud, along with Chairman of the Georgetown Hospital board, Dr Leslie Ramsammy signed on behalf of the ministry. Going through the MOU, the PS said that the EPA in the agreement has agreed to delegate in writing from time to time some of its responsibilities under the Environmental Protection Act as it relates to activities which may have significant impact on human health and well-being to the Environmental Health Unit of the Ministry of Health (MOH). The EPA also agreed to review annual environmental reports by the MOH and support institutional strengthening of that body, including human resource development in the areas of environmental management, monitoring and conservation. The ministry in the agreement has to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Act before issuing MOH contracts, permits to license projects and it would also need to prepare annual reports on its environmental activities. It would, too, undertake reasonable investigations and make reports to the EPA on pollution complaints and perceived non-compliance with the environmental regulations and standards. The ministry will also provide technical support to the Environmental Assessment Board and the Environmental Appeals Tribunal proceedings. Both parties have agreed to review the environmental reports on MOH projects and establish joint working groups for assessing applications for environmental permits prior to their approval by the EPA. It was further agreed that the two agencies would work out procedures for delegating aspects of responsibility under the Environmental Protection Act 1996, and identify topics for environmental research in the field of environmental health and support such research efforts. Among other things, they have agreed to make available to each other their respective libraries and field facilities and to address on an as-needed basis other issues of mutual concern to both parties in the areas of public health, environmental management and protection. Executive Director of the EPA, Per Bertilsson in brief remarks said that the signing marks part of an on-going process of strengthening partnerships with other agencies. He said that the EPA already has agreements with the Forestry Commission, the Ministry of Local Government and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission. Dr Rovin Deodat of the EPA was the moderator at the signing ceremony. Denise Fraser also signed for the EPA. (Samantha Alleyne)
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