The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) is aiming to reduce malaria cases by 30% this year, Permanent Secretary Collette Adams said yesterday.
Adams was addressing the media at a press conference on their procurement system and progress that is being made on its improvement. She said the upgrades will better the synergy between the Procurement Unit and the Materials Management Unit (MMU) in order to improve its collection and distribution cycles of drugs, pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, in the quest to help improve the lives of every citizen.
“Better quality of living includes protection against vector-borne diseases such as malaria, endemic in interior locations of Barima/Waini, Cuyuni/ Mazaruni, Potaro/Siparuni and Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo,” she said.
Adams noted that in June last year, the National Malaria Programme (NMP) disbursed approximately 92,000 long-lasting insecticide treated nets (LLINs), targeting the at-risk populations in the four regions in a fight against malaria.
For this year, the programme is aiming to reduce malaria cases to approximately 11,000 – a 30% reduction when compared with the 2018 figures.
“I therefore want to appeal for strengthened public-private partnerships as well as greater ownership in the roll-out of all malaria activities at the community and regional levels. The treated LLINs help prevent the spread of malaria by the Anopheles mosquito,” she said.
Adams further pointed out that there is sufficient treatment available for persons with malaria-like symptoms and said she wanted to encourage persons to seek immediate treatment and follow the guidelines given by the ministry.
She also noted that the Ministry has enough vaccines available to cater for the high volume of Venezuelans seeking assistance in Guyana.
Adams also pointed out that the risk of measles is real and to respond to this “imminent threat”, Guyana has collaborated with the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) to increase vaccination coverage along its borders and among the most vulnerable groups.
She said that they have formulated an action plan that includes additional vaccines, cold-chain security, HR and transportation needs, and conducting surveillance, along with providing daily reports.
The action plan not only focuses on childhood immunizations but will also focus on adolescents, young adults and the elderly.
“Special emphasis was placed on ensuring that all migrants were screened for relevant vaccines and vaccinated when evidence was lacking. The Ministries of Citizenship, Communities and Public Security all collaborated with the Ministry to ensure that bordering areas were reached by our health care workers,” she highlighted.
