In a major move towards the elimination of Hepatitis C in Guyana, the Ministry of Health, through the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) yesterday launched the National Hepatitis Guidelines and Laboratory Strategy.
These documents, developed in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organisation and the World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO), will enable Guyana to implement comprehensive screening, prevention, and treatment protocols to effectively combat Hepatitis C, a release from the Ministry of Health said.
The Laboratory Strategy is geared towards establishing a comprehensive and integrated medical laboratory system in Guyana that supports timely and quality healthcare.
The Hepatitis C Guidelines were developed through collaboration among healthcare professionals and stakeholders using the latest evidence and best practices. The guidelines ensure equal access to high-quality, patient-centred care for all Guyanese.
Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, noted that with adequate laboratories across Guyana, this strategy will aid in capturing the standards needed at different levels.
“We have our National Public Health Reference Laboratory and we have laboratories at each of our regional hospitals. Further down the chain, we have different types of laboratories performing various tasks. We felt it was important to standardise our work at different levels. If we don’t, different regions might expand their capabilities independently, complicating the process,” he explained.
Touching on the Hepatitis Guidelines, the Health Minister noted that before treating patients for Hepatitis C, the ministry had only been diagnosing and educating those who tested positive. He added that with PAHO’s funding, the Ministry is now able to treat patients.
He noted that over 150 patients have been enrolled for treatment, and many have been treated and cured.
PAHO/WHO Representative to Guyana, Daniel Albrecht, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to providing equal support throughout Guyana.
“PAHO/WHO is here for the long term and has been here for many years. We are pleased to support this vision. We see the health systems being transformed in the country. Today, ten hospitals are being built, which is critical for the system’s future. We aim to ensure that the same access and quality of care provided in coastal areas are available throughout the country,” he stated.
In August last year, the Ministry of Health had said that it had taken proactive measures to address the backlog of over 280 suspected cases of hepatitis C. The ministry had also launched the National Hepatitis Clinic at the National Care and Treatment Centre, in Georgetown.
According to the Mayo Clinic website, Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes liver inflammation, sometimes leading to serious liver damage.
On July 28, 2022, the ministry in collaboration with PAHO launched a Hepatitis C programme for patients to receive the necessary treatment and care free of cost.
Among those present at the ceremony yesterday were Internal Medicine Resident at GPHC, Dr Ejaz Hatim; Director of Global HIV, Hepatitis, and STI Programmes at WHO, Dr Meg Doherty; Programme Manager of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS), Dr Tariq Jagnarine; Head of Laboratory Services, Joyce Whyte Chin and other officials from the MoH and PAHO/WHO.
