Health Ministry commissions Tuberculosis Programme Unit
-part of activities to mark ‘World TB Day 2011’
Against the background of an upsurge in Tuberculosis cases globally, and increased efforts locally by the Ministry of Health and related agencies to increase national awareness of the serious health contagion, Guyana today joined the rest of the world in observance of World Tuberculosis Day 2011 under the theme, “On The Move Against Tuberculosis, On The Road to Elimination.”
The activity which was held at the newly constructed Tuberculosis Programme Unit’ at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) attracted scores of persons from the health sector, with the aim of ensuring that enhanced emphasis is place in eradicating the disease.
The commissioning of the Unit is part of a $100M project which comprises a chest clinic which has already been commissioned, the TB programme Unit and an inpatient facility which is under construction.
Health Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy while delivering the keynote address called on private sector, Non-Governmental Organisations and developing countries to address some of the constraints such as development of improved and enhanced medication. The latter was developed in the late 1950s and the 1960s.
He added that this is part of Government’s effort to eliminate the number of cases of contractions and deaths caused by Tuberculosis annually, since developing countries have larger TB epidemics than developed countries.
Some of the constraints according to the Health Minister, are;- the development of improved and enhanced medication; development of TB medication for pediatrician and additional testing sites.
As part of the activity, the Health Ministry will also commission shortly a digital x-ray system in the public sector, so as to improve the physical, social and mental health status of all Guyanese.
“Like many countries around the world, developing and developed, TB is still a big public health problem in Guyana. It is a global health problem and lives ominously alongside HIV,” he said.
Minister Ramsammy however, pointed out that Government has since been successful in delivering a response that has seen a major reversal in Tuberculosis and its related crisis.
This has seen a significant reduction in TB cases annually due to a trajectory embarked upon on the Health Ministry, placing Guyana on a much safer road towards eliminating the scourge.
“Tuberculosis persistence and its acceleration over the last 30-years around the world has not only been driven by HIV, it has also been driven by the fact that there are increasingly better chances for the spread of TB unless we recognise the catalysts and remove them from theirpotential roles,” the Health Minister said.
There are currently 20 TB testing sites countrywide and according to the Health Minister, these will be complemented with sites at Mahaicony, Kamarang and on the East Bank Demerara.
Government is also looking to introduce a rapid new test for TB as soon as it becomes available. There are currently 9 million new infections and approximately 1.7 million deaths caused by TB every year world wide.
According to the Health Minister, Tuberculosis can be eliminated only if all stakeholders play their part in its eradication.
While there is improved treatment access for the disease, there are also certain risk factors that should be dealt with.
“Every country has now documented cases of MDR (Multi Drug Resistant). This is a new global challenge and represents a serious public health threat. In Guyana, we have not yet experienced a high level of MDR cases, although we have documented about five cases so far. For this reason we will have to introduce greater vigilance and ensure that there is 100 percent compliance with medication among those who are being treated,” he said.
Between 2007 and 2010, Guyana has seen a reduction in incidence of Tuberculosis.
In 2007 it was recorded at 93 persons for every 100,000 persons in the population. This has since seen a reduction in case with a recorded 89 for every 100,000 in 2010.
