MAINTAINING A healthy population is a priority of the government’s, and to ensure that this is achieved, it has been dedicating its resources towards the eradication or control of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Among diseases emphasis is being placed on is malaria, which is transmitted via the anopheles mosquito, which breeds in unsanitary conditions. While reduction of the disease on the coastland has been significant, persons residing in the hinterland districts are still at risk.
Malaria Week, which is being observed worldwide  under the theme, ‘Counting Malaria Out- Promoting Best Practices and Collaboration’, was yesterday launched here in Guyana at Port Kaituma, in Region One.
Health Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy; Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) Representative, Ms. Rosalinda Hernandez; Commissioner of  the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Mr. William Woolford; and Region One Chairman, Fermin Singh were all in attendance at the event, which commenced with a walk from the Port Kaituma airstrip to the village’s waterfront and finally culminated at the community centre.
Owing to Government’s determination to eradicate the spread of this contagious and fatal disease, Guyana has, since 2003, been observing Malaria Week to make Guyanese aware of its effects, treatment and control.
Port Kaituma is a mining district, and miners are at risk of contracting the disease owing to the environment in which they work.
Miners were advised to use the correct medication to cure the disease, since scientists have observed that mosquitoes become immune to mono-therapy medications.
In Guyana, the best medication is available free of cost to citizens.
Besides promoting awareness of malaria prevention through the distribution of posters and brochures to miners, training is being provided for miners on how to test for malaria, and treatment is available in the regions.
Collaboration between the GGMC and the Ministry of Health has been astounding. The Commission, through its outreach programmes to mining camps in areas such as Upper, Lower and Middle Mazaruni, has disseminated adequate information about the disease to miners.
In addition, issues such as hygiene, cleanliness of the environment and usage of bed nets are discussed.
In 2007, the Ministry of Agriculture on behalf of the Guyana Forestry Commission, and the Ministry of Health and PAHO, and the GGMC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to raise awareness of malaria and the need to fight the disease.
In Guyana , the malaria eradication programme began in the 1950s and by 1974 it had decreased significantly on the Coastland. However, owing to the limited resources available the then Government did not invest in the eradication of the disease.
By 1995 it had risen particularly in Regions One, Seven and Eight and in 1999 the PPP/C Government with scarce resources available was able to reduce its spread.   
Nonetheless, Government is working with other agencies to ensure the disease is eradicated. (GINA)