…PM says nation’s health always priority of government

At the launch of Health Expo 2019, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo reiterated that the issue of the nation’s health has always been a priority concern of the government.
The prime minister was, at the time, delivering the feature address on Friday at the Umana Yana. The Ministry of Public Health’s exposition for this year is being held under the theme “Reaching for a Better Life with Good Health.”

He explained that while “we [government] are aware of issues facing the public health sector, we are doing what a government should do so, we are placing public health as a top priority.”

Prime Minister Nagamootoo stated that this year’s exposition would be focused on providing the necessary knowledge to citizens, of services provided. “The expo will provide knowledge of how to access the services available in the public health sector. We have to make available the choices to our people. Today, I give you the context that the exhibition is focused on. What we have in Guyana and what you can access… Much of our budget is

allocated to the public health sector from $23.2B in 2015 to $35.9B in 2019.”

The prime minister explained that this shows the emphasis the government is placing on the public health sector to ensure citizens receive accessible public health care. According to the prime minister, many of the health foods or supplements available to us can be accessed right in our “backyard”. “We have to look for the available products that we have in our backyard that is good for us.”

Reflecting on his advocacy of ‘no smoking in public spaces’, Prime Minister Nagamootoo applauded the Ministry of Public Health and The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) for the strides they are making. He explained that warning signs have been placed in strategic places and there are more to come. “Immunisation should be a priority”, he emphasised, while also applauding the Public Health Ministry for taking steps to have a country-wide programme made available to all Guyanese. The Health Expo will be held from June 5-8 at the Sophia Exhibition Centre. (DPI)