–ahead of ‘Wellness Week’ activities

GUYANA’S health care system was the focus of discussions when Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Director, Dr Carissa Etienne, met President Donald Ramotar yesterday at the Presidential Complex.

Issues that confront the health care system, and developments were some of the main topics discussed, according to the PAHO head.
“The president seemed well versed on the health situation in the country; he was able to bring some attention to suicides, to non-communicable diseases particularly. He is a good example of lifestyle behaviour changes; he was very concerned about the situation in the country about NCDS, and suicides and what it is PAHO could do to assist with technical cooperation,” Dr Etienne said.
Subjects such as the chikungunya disease, now prevalent in Guyana and the Caribbean, and the emerging threat of Ebola in Africa, and what it could mean for countries like Guyana were also discussed, she said, adding:

“We spoke about the developments that the Ministry of Health and the actions they have been taking to prevent, and be prepared in cases of Ebola erupting.”
A cnative of the Dominican Republic, Dr. Carissa F. Etienne was elected Director of PAHO by the Member States of the Organisation on September 19, 2012 and began her five-year term on February 1, 2013.
From March 2008 until November 1, 2012, Dr. Etienne served as Assistant Director-General for Health Systems and Services at the World Health Organisation in Geneva, Switzerland.

(GINA)