Referring to the child whose interest the PNC/R had sought to address at its last press briefing, Dr Luncheon explained that the records indicate that the child's file, which was brought to Cabinet's attention, did not provide a diagnosis and as a result it is quite unclear where the diagnosis of leukemia had its source.

"This Administration stands tall in all areas with respect to the implementation of the policy decision that give rise to the Millennium Health Care Project," Dr Luncheon state. He noted that the child was being sent abroad for a "work-up" -- basically an investigation that cannot be done in Guyana, but which was not an uncommon occurrence.

"Quite a bit of the funds," he said, "which are provided through the Millennium Project is provided for investigations to be done and these funds are provided by the Administration to cover the costs of those investigations," he added.

Luncheon stated that in the submissions made by the medical practitioner, a costing was made for treatment for a malignancy. This, he said, would only be realised when the investigations were done and the specific malignancy was identified, another fairly common practice.

He further pointed out that the Ministry of Health has, and continues to provide, additional financing whenever the diagnoses are made and medical attention is warranted overseas.

"The Government provides funds for that entire episode, but not in one single swoop and the records will show that," he stated.

The HPS said it is was not his objective to compare and contrast the provision of overseas medical care by successive PNC or PPP Administrations. "I can say without fear of contradictions, however, that there are few today with the commanding oversight that I have of administrative practices, which is a field I have dealt with intimately."