Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony joining the meeting with other stakeholders
The Health Ministry is now looking at a robust intervention for malaria prevention by facilitating engagements on the Malaria Memorandum of Cooperation (MMC), and ultimately looking at the integration of occupational safety and health (OSH) practices towards effective elimination.
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony met to discuss the MMC’s contents with the Labour Ministry, Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO), Guyana Forestry Commission, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), and USAID – Breakthrough Action.
The primary goal of the MMC is geared at fostering closer cooperation among the relevant stakeholders through coordinated activities, policies, and multi-sectorial interventions aimed at reducing the malaria disease burden among affected regions in Guyana.
“This initiative aimed to integrate occupational safety and health (OSH) practices, ultimately contributing to scaling up efforts towards malaria elimination in Guyana,” said the Ministry.
During his engagement with the stakeholders, Minister Anthony reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment towards implementing strategies geared at eliminating malaria within the hinterland regions in Guyana. He announced that Vector Control Services of the Ministry of Health is working on procuring and making available rapid diagnostic test kits to individuals within the mining community.
“These kits are easy to use and can be administered by persons residing in the malaria-affected regions. The Ministry of Health will continue to conduct active surveillance to ensure all malaria-positive cases are reported promptly.”
In attendance at this meeting were Chief Medical Officer, Dr Narine Singh; Director of the Vector Control Services (VCS), Dr Reza Niles Robin; representatives from Breakthrough Action Guyana and other representatives from the VCS.
The Health Ministry is seeking to reduce the mortality rate and the number of cases of malaria in Guyana by 2025, in keeping with the 2030 target of the World Health Organisation (WHO). The WHO aims to reduce malaria cases and mortality rate by at least 90 per cent; eliminate malaria in at least 35 countries and prevent a resurgence of malaria in all malaria-free countries.
Malaria is endemic in Regions One, Seven, Eight, Nine, and in some parts of 10. In most mining communities, higher cases of malaria are being reported. Breakthrough Action Guyana, an international organisation funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has been working to ensure infected persons properly take their medication.
