GUYANA was recognised for its outstanding performance in universal health care, with the Sergio Arouca Award of Excellence, at a recent Washington, D.C. ceremony in the United States (U.S.).

A health representative of Guyana received the award but yesterday a function was held here to formally hand over a token of appreciation and a certificate to the Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, at his Brickdam, Georgetown Office.

Guyana gained the recognition in consideration of this country’s efforts to improve the health care system, in spite of limited resources available for which the minister said the nation is grateful, since it signifies that, what is being done here by health care personnel is being acknowledged internationally.

He thanked the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) for recognising the hard work of the health workers in Guyana.

”We are very grateful for this, particularly grateful, since health care workers have done a great job for the citizens,” Ramsammy confirmed.

He said, over the years, the country has seen significant progress in the way the workers have been addressing health issues that have been affecting its people for some time.

“We have seen significant progress in maternal health, HIV and chronic illnesses among many other public health diseases. Because of that, there is an increase in the life expectancy and, as such, this award shows that the contribution of health workers is recognised,” Ramsammy reiterated.  

The minister said he is proud of the works that have been executed under the Integration Management of Adolescence and Adult Illnesses (IMAI) Programme. 

He disclosed that it was about ten years ago that the Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) programme was implemented and, since then, Guyana has been one of the leading countries in this area and working for its implementation in other countries.

According to him, from then, every health facility has seen the programme being initiated countrywide.

“We will continue to utilise the IMCI and provide health care for the people,” he pledged, noting that being recognised has a lot to do with PAHO, which has provided assistance for it.
Ramsammy reminded, though, that being awarded does not mean that the Health Sector has reached its target. But it is an inspiration to do more.
A PAHO release explained that the Sergio Arouca Award is one of several the agency bestows on its outstanding member States.
The IMAI programme is executed under the Disease Control Programme of the Ministry of Health and has been in operation in at least 246 health posts and centres covering some 90 per cent of the local population, the ministry said.