Mercy Sisters commended for selfless service

Georgetown, GINA, January 29, 2004

“The United States Government has made the fight against HIV/AIDS a global priority. Here in Guyana, the Embassy is pleased to be working alongside the Sisters of Mercy in this noble struggle.”
These were words of assurance from U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, His Excellency Roland Bullen, in his address to the representative Roman Catholic Mother Superiors of 25 regions in the US.
The Roman Catholic Superiors of countries including Argentina, Belize, Honduras and Guyana, are part of these 25 regions, and Executives of the institutional leadership team converged on the Cara Inn in Georgetown today, for a four-day conference to discuss human and financial resource mobilisation to enhance existing services rendered by the Sisters of Mercy in the Americas and Guyana.
The acute shortage of skilled health care workers in Guyana is expected to be the focus for discussion among the Sisters, who are representing some 12 countries, including Guyana and the United States.
As the guest speaker at today’s ceremony, the US Ambassador reflected on the 173 years of existence of the Sisters of Mercy in the Americas, and their active involvement in Guyana for over 100 years.
Ambassador Bullen said the Sisters have actively engaged in commendable educational inputs from nursery to university. He added, “The Sisters’ contribution to health care in Guyana is also noteworthy,… recognised by the U.S. Embassy in Guyana as providing the highest standard of medical care available in the country.”
The US envoy cited the health threat posed by the spread of HIV/AIDS as a challenge that now faces the Mercy Sisters, and stated that outside of Africa, the Caribbean is the most heavily impacted region in the world, with Guyana being one of the “most deeply affected” countries.
“The consequences of this global epidemic are enormous and potentially devastating,” said Ambassador Bullen, adding that the spread of HIV/AIDS threatens to undermine years of work towards development and poverty reduction.
The Sisters of Mercy have approached the US authorities for further assistance in its ongoing efforts to provide healthcare across the country to persons living with HIV/AIDS. The US Ambassador indicated a willingness to support these efforts.
Feature speaker, Prime Minister, Sam Hinds welcomed the visiting Sisters on behalf of Government, and hailed their history of service and contribution to health care in Guyana. The Prime Minister told the Superiors that their schools outreach programme and Mercy Wings, attest to their ongoing commitment to service.
Acknowledging that HIV/AIDS is a difficult problem in Guyana, Mr. Hinds congratulated the humanitarian group for reaching the un-reached. He highlighted the importance of the Mercy group in today’s globalised world.
Among the services rendered nationally, the Sisters of Mercy manage the St. John’s Bosco Orphanage at Plaisance, which has been in existence for some 102 years, and the St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital in Georgetown.
They have also founded the Carmel Roman Catholic School, and have run schools in Georgetown, Santa Rosa, Mabaruma and Hosororo. They commenced the Mercy Wings vocational training for adolescents with limited secondary education, including youths of Sophia.
The Mercy Hospital started a mobile clinic that serves depressed areas.