The Ministry of Health’s Maternal and Child Health Department (MCH) last Tuesday held its first Quarterly MCH and Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) review meeting at the Marriott Hotel, Kingston.
A Ministry of Health press release stated that the three-day meeting, held in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO), saw staff and representatives discussing areas of EPI achievements for the year 2022 and ways in which the maternal child health services in the regions can be improved. Also on the agenda was discussions on data for COVID-19 vaccination.
Minister of Health, Frank Anthony highlighted that the Ministry is on the verge of having Filaria, Leprosy and other diseases eliminated. He indicated that assessments are currently being undertaken for Filaria and once successful results are reported, the Ministry will be doing two additional assessments before declaring Guyana Filaria free.
Touching on the Human Immunodefi-ciency Virus (HIV) and other Sexual Transmitted Infections (STIs), Anthony said that Guyana is moving away from the traditional Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) services to self-testing for HIV, an option which allows people to self-administer an HIV test and knowing their status in the comfort of their own homes. Anthony further pointed out that with the implementation of the use of the PrEP pill, Guyana will be able to achieve the target set by the United Nations. “We intend to achieve the UN target, 95-95-95 by 2025, and to eliminate HIV as a Public Health Disease by the year 2030”, he stated.
Anthony highlighted other investments and achievements in the health sector, especially in areas of Hubs and Cold storage and the electronic data system which is being developed by Mount Sinai Health Systems. He also pointed out the recently launched telemedicine project that has since been implemented at five health Centre’s and the recent upgrades to regional hospitals across the country.
Also in attendance at this Tuesday’s opening were Luis Codina, PAHO/WHO Representative to Guyana, Nicholas Pron, UNICEF Representative to Guyana, MCH Officer and National EPI Manager, Oneka Scott and PMTCT Coordinator, Delroy Pyle.
