Ministry partnering with private facilities for HPV, eye testing, spectacles programmes

Representatives from the various medical facilities along with officials from the Ministry of Health signing the memorandum of understanding for HPV screening.

The Ministry of Health (MoH), in collaboration with privately-owned medical facilities, on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding in preparation for the official launch of the Govern-ment of Guyana’s HPV, eye testing and spectacles programmes.

The Hinterland Coordinator, Michael Gouveia, explained that visits to the several regions highlighted the need for the eye screening programme along with assistance to purchase spectacles. Similarly, the HPV (human papillomavirus) programme focuses on meeting the needs of women in helping with diagnosis and screening.

Director of Non-communicable Diseases and Mental Health, Dr Lachmie Lall, in her overview on the elimination of cervical cancer, outlined the World Health Organisation target called 90:70:90. It represents 90 per cent of girls vaccinated against HPV by age 15; 70 per cent of women screened by age 35, and again by age 45; and 90 per cent of people identified with cervical disease treated.