Health Ministry hosts workshop to advance national IPC, AMR guidelines

The Ministry of Health, in partnership with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), on Monday launched a two-day workshop aimed at developing a clear, practical, and user-friendly national guideline for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). These guidelines are expected to be adaptable across all healthcare settings and aligned with a One Health approach.
The workshop brings together key stakeholders, including public health officials, clinicians, infection control practitioners, and partner agencies to inform the development of evidence-based protocols that support safer healthcare delivery and improved antimicrobial stewardship nationwide and as a step towards strengthening integrated national programmes for IPC and AMR. During the opening ceremony, Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, underscored the importance of having strong IPC and AMR systems as Guyana continues to advance its healthcare standards. He noted that significant groundwork has already begun through technical support from PAHO, and emphasised that the finalised guidelines must be effectively implemented across every healthcare facility. “Once these guidelines are finished, we must ensure that every single one of our facilities is actively implementing them,” Dr Anthony stated.

He highlighted that proper IPC practices and strengthened AMR surveillance are essential not only for protecting patients and healthcare workers, but also for reducing the burden of drug-resistant infections in the wider community. Dr Anthony further shared that the Ministry remains committed to continuous training, monitoring, and capacity building to support health workers at every level. The new national guidelines will serve as a foundational tool for standardising IPC practices, guiding antimicrobial use and ultimately improving the quality of care delivered across the country. The Ministry of Health extended its gratitude to PAHO for its continued partnership and technical leadership in advancing Guyana’s IPC and AMR objectives. The outcomes of this workshop, the Ministry stated, will play a crucial role in supporting national health resilience and protecting public health for generations to come.