GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – The Guyana government is working with the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) on a new initiative to eradicate five acute infectious diseases in the country.
The Ministry of Health said Filaria [big foot], leprosy, Chagas, leishmaniasis or bush yaws, have been identified by the government to be eradicated in a few years and remains confident that these diseases will be eliminated with the technical support from two United Nations health organizations.
“We have been working with them on several projects. Right now, we are working to eliminate Filaria from Guyana. We hope that in a couple of years, we can declare Guyana to be filaria-free. So, that is one of our projects with PAHO,” said Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony as he addressed the commissioning of the Paramakatoi Smart Hospital in Region Eight.
“Right now, at the national level, we have considered that it has been eliminated nationally. But there are still some pockets where we need to work to eliminate it in those particular areas. That is the targeted work we are doing with PAHO,” Dr. Anthony stated.
He said the government remains optimistic that Leishmaniasis is caused by infection with Leishmania parasites, which are spread by the bite of phlebotomine sand flies, along with the Chagas disease which is caused by a bug, will be eradicated from Guyana.
Malaria is still endemic in Region One, and the ministry is working assiduously to reduce it in its first instance and to work towards eradication by 2030 in the affected regions.
Dr. Anthony said the government would launch an exciting immunization program shortly.
“We also know that with the immunization program, you have to give people injections, and many people do not like injections. We will give the vaccine but not in the form of an injection. The one we will launch very soon will become more comfortable for the child receiving the vaccine. It is no vaccine in the traditional sense. It will be a different way of delivering that vaccine,” he added.
Dr. Anthony said this would significantly impact vaccine uptake and prevent the fear children might have in using such a vaccine.
A government statement said that the United Kingdom continues to partner with Guyana on numerous initiatives to improve the delivery of healthcare in the country, which include procuring vaccines for coronavirus (COVID-19) and the intelligent hospital initiative, among other areas.
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