THE Ministry of Health will continue its efforts to build capacity for responding to the novel influenza strain, H1N1, with a three-day workshop beginning today.

It is being facilitated by the Ministry’s Department of Disease Control, in collaboration with the United States Agency for International for Development (USAID), through its partner Links Media.

A statement from the Ministry said the purpose is to provide technical assistance to the Communications Sub-Committee of the National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Committee of Guyana.

The aims are to develop a detailed outline of the Operational Communications Plan, including the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan; develop a draft work plan for the Communications Sub-Committee and review the Risk Communication Plan for coping with the threat of and possible outbreaks of Avian Influenza and the Human Pandemic Influenza.

With regards to the latter, the health sector would be able to identify the lessons learned and best practices in communication, based on events in Guyana related to the influenza A (H1N1) pandemic and identify recommendations for enhancing the Communication Plan.

Meanwhile, Director of the National Public Health Reference Laboratory (NPHRL), Dr Colin Roach said the number of confirmed H1N1 cases in this country remains 30.

He was recently involved in the just ended training for six medical technologists to test for the H1N1 virus and said the local testing for H1N1 will soon be a reality.