Guyana has won the distinguished Sérgio Arouca Award for Excellence for its outstanding performance in Universal Health Care from the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO).
Director of the Young Adult Health and Wellness Unit Dr Marcia Paltoo accepted the award for the Ministry of Health’s Integrated Management of Adolescent and Adult Illness (IMAI) Programme at PAHO’s 50th Directing Council in Washington, USA.
According to a Government Informa-tion Agency (GINA) press release, a formal handover ceremony was held on Monday at the ministry’s Brickdam office where Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy received a token of appreciation and a certificate. Ramsammy said the award indicates that the ministry’s work is gaining international attention and that IMAI’s efforts to deliver high-quality health services and improved care and treatment, within the context of its limited resources, are noteworthy. IMAI focuses on treating acute illnesses and on managing and preventing chronic diseases as well. It also fits into existing services so that the health system can function more efficiently. As a result of several training programmes hosted over the years, health workers have been able to significantly improve the way they perform their functions. “Notably, there has significant progress in maternal health, HIV and chronic illnesses among many other public health diseases, leading to an increase in the life expectancy rate,” the minister said.
