As Guyana seeks to improve collaboration with its global partners in vector bionomics research, vector control strategies and acceptability of the Mass Drug Administration (MDA) exercise, Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings participated in the 10th meeting of the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GAELF), in New Delhi, India.
During her address, she noted, “It is important to note that the Government of Guyana sees the elimination of lymphatic filariasis as a national, regional, and global priority and pledges its continued support to the successful implementation of this exercise.”
Dr Cummings emphasised that Guyana was interested in continuing to work with partners at the regional and international levels to gain further support as it strove to achieve elimination of lymphatic filariasis. Areas for collaboration include research on vector bionomics, vector control strategies, as well as acceptability of
India’s Union Health Minister, JP Nadda with Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings
the MDA.
Dr Cummings was among several officials who spoke during the opening ceremony, and the Minister highlighted Guyana’s progress in the elimination of lymphatic filariasis and the country’s commitment to helping eliminate the disease as a global health problem by 2020.
The three-day meeting was held under the theme, “Celebrating Progress Towards Elimination: Voices From the Field on Overcoming Programme Challenges.”
Also representing Guyana were the Director of Vector Control Services, Horace Cox and National Supervisor for the Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Campaign in Guyana, Allena Hercules.
Cox, in his presentation, outlined the challenges and the respective solutions that Guyana undertook to achieve its first successful MDA in 2017.
Some of the solutions, Cox said, included use of the Tool for Integrated Planning and Costing (TIPAC), the introduction of micro-planning at the level of health centres, and implementation of new service delivery strategies.
Participants at the 10th GAELF were also involved in various working groups’ sessions which covered, inter alia, aspects of elimination of the disease such as, best practices in MDA; Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E); Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention.
Future focus on the elimination of lymphatic filariasis in Guyana will target the ending of the spread of infection through large-scale annual treatment for vulnerable groups in the 10 administrative regions and alleviating the suffering caused by the disease.
