Latest update April 25th, 2024 12:59 AM
May 16, 2016 News
– 168,240 malaria cases, 1255 of dengue, nearly 100 cases of filaria in five-year span
Vector-borne diseases are a major public health threat, with Guyana recording at least one positive case of malaria within every hour, President David Granger told a gathering at the PAHO/WHO launch the Health@50 in Guyana: Progress Health Report 1966-2016 on Saturday evening.
The launch was held at the Marriot Hotel in Kingston, and a health report, during which a Health Report was unveiled.
The ceremony event was a collaboration between PAHO and the Public Health Ministry.
The Health@50 in Guyana Photo Gallery Book 1966-2016 was on display and a special Health@50 in Guyana Awards Ceremony was held for persons who made significant contribution to the health sector.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud was one of the 19 persons who were awarded for outstanding performance. It was noted that Dr. Persaud sits on twelve medical boards, including the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). The awards were presented to individuals and entities for their contribution to public health leading to the improvement of the well-being of persons living in Guyana at different time periods between 1966 -2016.
President Granger stated that while the government welcomes the health@50 progress health report, it was critical to note that vector borne diseases are running rampant in the country. He stated that between the years 2011-2015, Guyana recorded 168,240 cases of malaria, 1255 cases of dengue and nearly 100 cases of filaria.
He said the vector, which is mainly the mosquito, generally has no border and would cause devastating effects on the human populace, adding that the risks and threats are changing constantly.
The President indicated further that air travel, smuggling across the borders, shipping transport are all factors that increase Guyana’s risk of contracting new vector borne disease.
“The extension of public infrastructure…and mining and logging and the inland travelling all contribute to the possibility of the invasion of new species into Guyana,” he said, highlighting the importance of international bodies, like PAHO, to collaborate with the Public Health Ministry to eradicate the diseases on all levels.
“It is for international bodies to collaborate with the governments if change is supposed to take place,” he said, noting that there is also need for the vector to be more carefully managed.
Thus, he stated that the government is pursuing a green agenda with a focus on health. He said the environmental agenda identifies the diseases and helps to reduce it.
He also made a call for central government, the municipalities and regions to work together to eliminate the spread.
A copy of the progress report was presented to him by the PAHO Country Representative, Dr. William Adu-Krow.
The Health@50 in Guyana Progress Report 1966-2016 chronicles the achievements made in the public health sector of Guyana as well as challenges faced during the past fifty (50) years. It also outlines PAHO/WHO’s technical cooperation in health with the country during the 50-year period.
The publication was prepared by the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and the data included in this report were gathered from health reports, statistical bulletins and databases of the Ministry of Public Health and other health-related documents. Interviews were also conducted with key informants like former Ministers of Health, Chief Medical Officers and other individuals who worked in the heath sector during the last 50 years.
Meanwhile, the Health@50 in Guyana Photo Gallery Book 1966-2016 displays photos of health activities and landmark occasions that have occurred in health during the period under review.
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