– especially prostate cancer
THE Ministry of Health will, next year, extend its reach to men who are affected by non-communicable diseases (NCDs), especially prostate cancer.
This initiative will be undertaken through the Ministry’s Health and Wellness Programme (HWP), which seeks to make persons more aware of chronic life threatening diseases and various prevention methods, Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said.
He made the announcement while speaking at the start of workplace wellness programme at the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) Office, in Brickdam, Georgetown yesterday.
According to him, prostate cancer represents the number one cancer in Guyana, since it has been reported upon on an annual basis more than the number of breast and cervical cancers.
Ramsammy said a number of other issues will be targeted in the new year. However, a keen interest is in prostate cancer, because it is an affliction from which most men suffer and are unaware of the challenges it brings with it.
“In 2012, we will be adding layers to our workplace wellness programme. While we are focusing on breast cancer and cervical cancer, we will be targeting an issue that men are faced with even while we continue to deal with the needs of women,” he reiterated.
Ramsammy said, although works have been carried out in the area of diagnosis and interventions as it relates to the issue, the ministry has not been successful in capturing the interest of the public and, more so, men in this regard. But he maintained that this goal will be accomplished.
He said strategies will be implemented to bring this situation fully under the ministry’s control as they will be singling out the simplest things that will attract the attention of  men.
Ramsammy said that the ministry will be working towards bringing about equity in terms of interest with prostate cancer, since it has been recognised that women are living healthier and longer lives, given that they are more aware of diseases that can affect them.

DEMANDING

“Over the years, more women have been showing more interest in issues that have been affecting their partners more than the men. Women talk about breast cancer and cervical cancer and they are demanding services across the country,” he pointed out.
The minister said, while the country’s health sector has been doing a good job by expanding its services and executing more surgeries, it still must be ensured that every little part of health is targeted.
Additionally, he pointed out that another venture that is in the pipeline is the introduction of programmes to handle neuropsychology cases.
“We will be adding this to our workplace screening programme. We will be doing simple screening to identify persons who need special care,” Ramsammy disclosed.
He repeated that neuropsychology does not mean a person is mentally challenged but it can relate to substance abuse victims and persons suffering from mood swings and post- partum depression, among other illnesses.
All these, the minister said, are layers that will be added in the short term to the ministry’s health and wellness programme, thus taking Guyana a step closer to fulfilling the mandate of the health sector.
He said that already, through the HWP, persons are more aware of their health status and are demanding services.
“We have brought some of the chronic non-communicable diseases to the attention of persons. When I go to certain parts of the country, people ask for certain things…demanding services, they are asking when can I get a VIA, mammogram, when can I get a breast examination,” Ramsammy acknowledgd.
He said, while the health sector is making progress, the demands are exceeding the ministry’s capacity and this is good although it is a challenge.
“The ministry has 10 times more the capacity to fulfil our mandate than years before. We will work harder to make sure we meet those demands.”
INTEREST
Ramsammy said, already, some 60 organisations have indicated an interest in being a part of the wellness programme and “we will now have to ensure that they are fully on board, thus.”
The minister said the ministry is pleased to have PAHO/WHO on board as it is the first United States (U.S.) based agency to support it in this regard. However, the day is also being celebrated since it shows how much progress the initiative has made from its commencement to now.
He said, over the years, PAHO has displayed a growing impact on the health sector and for each new year there has been further collaboration and partnerships.
Representative of PAHO/WHO in Guyana, Ms. Beverley Barnett said the world is now beginning to realise the importance of NCDs and it is a good sign.
She said these programmes are important because knowing more about risk factors and follow-ups on these issues have been proven to be one of the major eliminating factors in this regard.
“To detect risk factors, it is a safety strategy for detecting and dealing with NCDs, knowing your blood sugar level, your blood pressure and your family history, among others, puts you a step closer to knowing your status,” she pointed out.
Barnett said PAHO/WHO could not be more pleased to accept the invitation since it dovetails with its environmental workplace programme.
“We are pleased to be the pilot U.S. workplace on board with the ministry in this regard,”she confirmed.