THE Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), yesterday held a training workshop at the Agriculture Ministry Boardroom to re-evaluate an assessment of Guyana’s ports of entry in an effort to strengthen global surveillance. Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud who delivered opening remarks at the workshop noted that the initial assessment of the ports was done in 2009 and they are now being reevaluated.
He noted that Guyana is a signatory to the International Health Regulations, which were signed in 2007, and the country was given until 2012 to implement certain systems at all points of entry.
He explained that among these, Guyana has to develop a civilians’ capacity and to develop the competence at response level.
“We have some ports that are designated points of entry and we’ve been trying to build their capacity so they can now comply with these requirements,” he stated.

SYSTEMS FOR REPORTING
According to the CMO, requisite offices have to be established at the ports and port health officers need to be trained and placed at these ports.  These officers, he said, must be able to conduct certain types of testing and to put systems in place for reporting.
He further pointed out that each aircraft that arrives from an international destination has to fill out a flight declaration form which reveals if anyone on board has any symptoms of contagious diseases, such as coughing and fever. Dr. Persaud stated that once this declaration is made, local authorities have to respond and address any affected person or the entire flight.
He advised that these requirements are being implemented and the Health Ministry is working closely with the airport authority in this regard. The same requirements would apply also to vessels and the seaport.
Meanwhile, he stated that Guyana was unable to meet all the requirements for the 2012 deadline, but WHO has since given an extension until the end of 2014.
Some additional matters, he said, now have to be addressed, including chemical and nuclear risks. As it relates to chemical risks, he said that the Pesticides and Toxic Chemical Board now has to be examined.
Participants at yesterday’s workshop included the port health officers, representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, shipping agents, operators of the seaport and airport authority, customs and immigration officers.
The workshop was facilitated by Public Health Specialist of the Ministry of Health in Barbados, Mr. Colin Browne. Consultant in Health Surveillance and Disease Prevention and Control of PAHO/WHO, Dr. Zoila Fletcher-Payton was also present.