The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) held the inaugural meeting on Guyana’s One Health Initiative yesterday at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre.
A Ministry of Health press release said that initiative is geared at preventing and preparing for current and future health challenges at the human-animal-environment interface, through collaboration and coordination across governance frameworks of human, animal, plant and environmental health programmes. The meeting focused on the process of developing Guyana’s One Health Policy, reviewing the concept of One Health, its benefits and possibilities of implementation in Guyana and the strategic perspectives for upcoming One Health activities across the country.
Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, said that the One Health approach requires the efforts of all stakeholders, international partners and health workers to roll out the initiative.
“We feel that with this type of collaboration, both internally and externally, we can create a model that can be shown to the rest of the Region how One Health can be reduce future pandemics and challenges,” Anthony said. The Minister also stated that yesterday’s meeting was essential for planning the One Health Strategy.
Dr. Luis Codina, the Representative of the Pan American Health Organisation stated that PAHO recognises the One Health initiative as a framework that strengthens key areas of cooperation with the Ministry of Health and the Government of Guyana concerning pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.
“Today’s One Health Meeting highlights the work that is done in animal, environmental health and climate change. We are grateful for this opportunity to play an important role in enhancing Guyana’s One Health agenda”, Dr Codina said.
Other officials present were, Dr. Anand Persaud, International Health Regu-lation NFP Coordinator; Richard A. Blair, Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture; Diletta Doretti, World Bank; . Gillian Smith, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO); Yesim Oruc, the United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC); Mr. Wilmot Garnette, IICA and members of the Diplomatic Corps.
