A call for healthy habits
Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are said to be laying a heavy burden on the budgetary allocation to the Public Health Ministry, and Junior Minister, Dr Karen Cummings is pleading with persons to take better care of themselves.
Dr Cummings was part of a panel including Public Health Minister Dr George Norton and Chief Medical Officer Dr Shamdeo Persaud, at the Ministry’s year-end press briefing, last Friday.
Dr Cummings explained that the Chronic Disease Unit (CDU) has been addressing the top four causes of premature death in Guyana: cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases.
According to Minister Cummings, NCDs carry a huge cost to families and caregivers of those suffering from the diseases as well as Government.
“Currently, about 70 per cent of the Ministry’s budget is being spent on NCDs. Therefore, it is imperative that we develop healthy lifestyle choices and practices early so as to avoid falling prey to NCDs,” she stressed.
The Minister outlined that the Unit performed creditably in 2016 when compared to previous years. She said there was much optimism that the new year will bring additional achievements that would further promote the work of the Unit.
In collaboration with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Guyana Country Office, the Unit has completed the first leg of the implementation plan for the years 2016-2018 in sync with the Integrated Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Disease Strategic Plan 2013-2020. Moreover, the Unit has worked unremittingly to ensure it achieved all the activities programmed for 2016.
Dr Cummings said the Unit continued to ensure that capacity building occurred in the regional facilities. Between October 17 and 28, 10 new providers were trained and placed in the healthcare sector to ensure that screening for cervical cancer continued. The training also produced a new provider in the Charity area, signalling the launching of a new site for VIA screening. There are now 20 sites located across Guyana with a total of 33 VIA certified providers. A new cohort of 17 doctors and nurses from all six regions of the country where there are Regional Diabetic Foot Centres were trained in Diabetic Foot Care and Management.
She noted that the Ministry, late last year, met with members of the Guyana Business Coalition on Health Awareness and a Memorandum of Understanding was developed, which would see the Private Sector companies allocating funding towards chronic Non-Communicable Diseases. The funding will cover focal point nomination, support groups, training, screening, and purchasing of gym materials to allow for more physical activities in workplaces. The entities also agreed to enforce the no smoking policies in their work environment.
The Unit also developed a training course and manual for community personnel to become more actively involved in sensitising their peers on Non-Communicable Diseases. The programme, entitled “Community Leaders in Health”, is a conglomeration of all the essential services offered by the Ministry which are essential in combating NCDs. Two training sessions were held in August and November where a total of 51 persons from communities in Region Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, and 10 were trained.
Partners and stakeholders
According to Dr Cummings, the Chronic Disease Unit works collaboratively with a number of international partners and stakeholders, including PAHO, the Guyana Diabetic Association and the Caribbean Public Health Agency.
Early last year, the Coordinator of the Chronic Disease Unit attended the First Global Meeting for NCDs programme managers and directors. This meeting saw Guyana opening discussions relating to free trade and innovative approaches towards combating Non-Communicable Diseases. The launch of the National Commission on Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases was an idea, which met the unreserved approval of the forum. Dr Cummings said her Ministry intended to make this Commission a reality in 2017.
