–President Granger urges urgent action, launches commission to tackle problem

PRESIDENT David Granger has proposed a three-pronged approach to tackle Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (CNCDs), the category of diseases that accounts for 70 per cent of premature deaths in Guyana as he launched the Presidential Commission for the Prevention and Control of CNCDs.

The Presidential Commission for the Prevention and Control of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (CNCDs) was launched by President Granger at the Umana Yana on Saturday morning in the presence of Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence; Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) Representative for the Guyana Country Office, Dr. William Adu-Krow; the Health Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Collette Adams; Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud; members of the commission and senior health officials.

The Caribbean region has the highest burden of CNCDs in the Americas, according to PAHO’s study, “Monitoring Compliance with high-level commitments in Health: The case of the CARICOM Summit on Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases.”
Guyana and the twin-island republic were ranked as first and second respectively, in terms of prevalence and deaths from heart diseases and diabetes.

Studies conducted by PAHO and CARICOM have pointed to unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol, driven by social determinants and global influences as the root causes.
In delivering the featured address, President Granger, cognisant of the high prevalence of CNCDs here, proposed that increased focus be placed on education and awareness, new initiatives, and full implementation of Guyana’s Strategic Plan for the Integrated Prevention and Control of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases.

Explaining his approaches, President Granger, who is also chair of the commission, said major emphasis must be placed on the dissemination of information – an initiative that ought to be wide-reaching.

“We must not assume that everybody knows that drinking sugary Coca Colas or eating oily fast foods could be harmful. Some people just don’t know. People buy the stuff because it is cheaper and convenient and they like how it tastes, so we must have a campaign on public information to let every child know that he or she is indulging in self-harm,” President Granger said.

He added that citizens must be edified about the alternative foods available and activities in which they can be involved to reduce the risk of them developing CNCDs such as cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks and stroke), cancer and chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma.

Referring to his second proposed approach, the President championed the cause for fresh initiatives in combating CNCDs. These initiatives, he underscored, should not be led by the government alone but by citizens, celebrities, civil society, non-governmental organisations, trade unions, and even the media.

STATE OF EMERGENCY
Describing the situation as a “state of emergency,” President Granger emphasised that all must play their part.
“Together we can help to propel an intense programme of responding to the crisis and the threat of NCDs. This is a national effort, it is not a governmental effort, it is not a ministerial effort,” he stated.

Attention too must be placed on implementation, the President admonished as he turned his attention to the third approach.
“Once we have all these declarations, one we have all these strategies, there must be implementation, there must be a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach to implement measures for the prevention and control of NCDs,” he said.

The President posited that Guyana’s Strategic Plan for the Integrated Prevention and Control of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases and their Risk Factors (2013-2020) ought to be updated and complemented by an actual plan.

In the past, smoking and excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages were seen as high fashion promoted by celebrities on the international stage, but today the world knows better, the President said, even as he advocated a change in lifestyles – lifestyles that are built on healthy eating, exercise, no smoking or excessive use of alcohol.

For this reason, he said his Administration will ensure that schools across the country are equipped with recreational facilities and playgrounds, and the administering of physical education.
The Public Health Minister, in giving opening remarks, said the global health statistics reveal that there is an alarming upsurge of CNCDs around the world, noting that Guyana’s situation reflects the global trend.

WORRYING
It was pointed out that approximately 57 per cent of the country’s adult population is suffering from one of the main CNCDs.
“Annually approximately 70 per cent of all deaths (between 35 and 60 years) reported to the Ministry of Public Health are related to heart disease and hypertension, diabetes, cancers or chronic lung disease. In fact… the report issued at the July 2017 Heads of CARICOM Conference indicated that Guyana and the twin-island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago were ranked as first and second respectively in terms of the prevalence and deaths from heart disease and diabetes,” Minister Lawrence pointed out.

She said the statistics, which covered the North, South and Central Americas and the Caribbean countries, are fuelled by several factors such as the decrease in physical activities, obesity, bad diets, tobacco-smoking and alcohol abused.

Minister Lawrence reminded that the CARICOM Heads of Government, in response to the silent global epidemic, issued the Port of Spain Declaration in 2007 with the aim of significantly reducing the prevalence of CNCDs but today, 10 years later, this category of diseases continues to be the bugbear and one of the main health challenges in the region of the Americas.

However, she said President Granger’s acceptance to serve as chair of this very important and timely commission is proof of his commitment to ensuring that Guyanese enjoy a better quality of life.
“The Ministry of Health will intensify the campaign against the perpetuation of high incidences [sic] of premature deaths from NCDs in order to ensure a sustainable economic framework pillared by a healthy nation and to fulfil objectives of the 2030 Agenda,” Minister Lawrence said, as she recommitted the Public Health Ministry to the fight.

Already, the ministry in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) has commenced work with regard to tackling CNCDs with the passage of the Tobacco Control Bill.
Moreover, with support from the Presidential Commission, the ministry plans to implement measures to abolish the marketing of tobacco to minors and eliminate exposure to second-hand smoke in all public spaces. Other actions will be taken against other risk factors, especially those that affect children and youths.

Similar sentiments were expressed by PAHO/WHO Country Representative, Dr. William Adu-Krow, who said that this is an opportune time for Guyanese to come together to deal with CNCDs. He explained that the task of the commissioners on this body includes the development of policies, advising the President and the public health minister on existing gaps in NCDs that must be addressed and helping all sectors and civil society to intensify efforts to fight this scourge.

The 16 members of the commission are Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings; R. Banwarie,Ministry of Social Protection; Rhonda Godfrey, Ministry of Communities; Avonie Lekha-West, Ministry of Business; Aileen Nestor, Ministry of Agriculture; Dr. Grace White, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC); Dr. William Adu-Krow, PAHO/WHO; Dr. Ronald Aaron, University of Guyana; Rajmatti Nauth, Inter-Religious Organisation; Dorothy Fraser, Guyana Red Cross Society; Compton Giddings, Food for the Poor Inc.; Dr. Wendy De Cunha, Trade Union Representative; Shawana Mars-Blaize, Guyana Diabetic Association; Dr. Holly Alenxander, St. John’s Ambulance Brigade; Kalawattie Datt-Singh, the Guyana Pharmacists Association; and Delicia Haynes, media representative.