Guyana Watch cites violence, tensions in cancelling medical mission
Stabroek News
August 23, 2002
The US-based Guyana Watch has cancelled its medical outreach mission which had been scheduled here this month, citing the recent escalation of violence and tensions in the country as reasons for its decision.
A press release signed by Guyana Watch president, Tony Yassin said that “based on the climate of uncertainty and a timely travel advisory issued by the US State Department,” the group’s executive committee “made the difficult determination to suspend this year’s mission.”
This mission, the release noted, was scheduled to conduct eight clinics across Demerara, Essequibo and Berbice, treating between 2,500 to 3,000 patients and donating about US$100,000 in medication.
Yassin and the executive board have expressed their deep regrets about cancelling the mission but added that “Guyana Watch remains committed to the provision and administration of educational programmes, medical treatment and humanitarian aid to the people of Guyana, now and in the future.”
The release also expressed appreciation to all the members of the medical team who had already forfeited their personal vacation time for the cause of the mission.