Alternative arrangements being sought for ‘immuno-compromised patients’ – DCMO

Covid-19 precautions

As the risk of contracting the coronavirus surges, the Public Health Ministry will be considering other alternatives to treat patients who are suffering from chronic diseases or immune-related complications.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Karen Gordon Boyle, during a recent engagement, stated that persons with medical conditions should take additional precautions to protect themselves from the virus, which is considered by the World Health Organisation as a global pandemic. These include persons suffering from the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), cancer, and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, among other illnesses.
“As it relates to our citizens with medical conditions, I wish to focus on our cancer, HIV, tuberculosis and sickle cell patients, who all fall into the category of the immuno-compromised. The guidelines are the same for them, but they must take extra precautions,” Dr Boyle indicated.
She said the Ministry is working to formulate mechanisms by which these persons can easily access medications without showing up at their respective hospitals and clinics for same. These efforts are being done collaboratively with the regional administrations countrywide.
“We are in the process of organizing alternative arrangements so that they are provided with the medications without putting themselves at additional risk. The regions are actively working on developing a system where all patients, especially those with chronic diseases and other specialty conditions, can be seen. At-risk groups would not need to come out, and the best mode to operate would be shared at a later date,” she asserted.
The DCMO reminded that testing for COVID-19 in Guyana remains in compliance with standards set out by the WHO. As the number of positive cases progresses locally, many Guyanese have voiced their concerns about the lack of testing. Thus far, less than 100 persons were tested for the disease.
“There still remains some lingering doubts in the minds of our population (regarding) who should be tested. I wish to reiterate that the Ministry of Public Health continues to follow the testing guidelines provided by the World Health Organization,” she said.
The WHO has determined that while the virus affects persons of all ages, evidence to date suggests that two groups of people are at a higher risk of getting severe COVID-19 disease. These are older people, and those with underlying medical conditions.
“The risk of severe disease gradually increases with age, starting from around 40 years. It’s important that adults in this age range protect themselves and, in turn, protect others that may be more vulnerable,” the agency revealed.
The Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) is projecting that 1400 persons will be infected by COVID-19. However, health authorities are yet to put systems in place to cater for this number of cases, should this projected figure become reality.
With cases now spread to two other regions across Guyana, authorities have outlined action plans in response to the infectious disease. In Region One (Barima-Waini), the Mabaruma Regional Hospital has developed an external triage area and a coloured hand-band system for the differentiation of cases.
A separate isolation facility has been identified with capacity for 8-10 persons and quarantine capacity for two persons, which would be expanded as the situation progressed. The cleaning staff has also started sanitising floors and surfaces every two hours.
In Region Six, authorities have expanded the quarantine facility to cater for 30 additional persons.
Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), however, still continues to head the list for the highest number of cases.