IN an effort to enhance the delivery of public health to all Guyanese, government on Wednesday engaged in discussions on the possible continuation of funding for the Malaria Programme by the Global Fund at a forum held at the Grand Coastal Hotel, East Coast Demerara.

There, the Country Coordinating Mechanisms (CCM) which comprises civil society partners, key and vulnerable populations, communities and other relevant stakeholders, met to take part in meaningful, open dialogue on the matter.
Speaking at the event was Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings, who attributed much of Guyana’s progress in the fight against malaria to the assistance of the Global Fund. “Undeniably, with the help of Global Fund, Guyana has made significant progress in being able to detect, treat and prevent malaria. These efforts include: innovative diagnostics, medicines, vaccines, vector control products, and improved mechanism for surveillance and response,” Dr. Cummings highlighted.
During the last two decades, Guyana has seen a reduction in malaria cases, according to the minister, which has prompted an increased global dialogue on the elimination and eradication of the disease.

Cummings added, however, that although the country has made its strides, it was necessary for the country to build on these gains made over the years, by implementing new approaches, novel tools and better surveillance mechanisms.
The minister then established that if the Malaria programme is to experience sustained success and widespread coverage, it would require additional assistance from the Global Fund. “In moving forward with our national malaria programme, particularly as we aim for universal coverage, will require additional funding,” the Health Minister pointed out, adding that this funding was essential to aid in a number of initiatives being undertaken in the hinterland.

“We are looking to be able to cover approximately 80% of the hinterland population, including miners and loggers, some of whom have received and others who are to receive, with long lasting, insecticide-treated nets,” she announced.
Added to that, persons in the hinterland and coastland areas will soon benefit from the CareStart Malaria Rapid Diagnosis Tests (RDTs) through which malaria test results can be received in as soon as 20 minutes. The minister also stated that with the help of international funding, a new Entomology Unit is earmarked to be established at Diamond, East Bank Demerara.

“This unit will be outfitted with equipment and personnel trained to conduct tests on mosquitoes with the aim of asserting their resistance to drugs used for treatment,” Cummins explained, continuing: “Such a unit will certainly help us to shift the parameters for the treatment of Malaria, thus safeguarding more lives.”

Also present at the function were Executive Director of the Global Fund Project, Morris Edwards; Director of Vector Control Services (VCS), Horace Cox; Coordinator of the National Malaria Programme, Quacy Grant and Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) Secretary, Maria Niles, among others. The Global Fund partners with a number of countries to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics. Over the years Guyana has reported a decline in Tuberculosis cases and has managed to stabilise HIV.