HYPERTENSIVE patients living in the Pomeroon Supenaam Region now have access to additional medicines to combat the chronic illness as the government’s Chronic Disease Department launched the ‘HEARTS’ technical package at Suddie Public Hospital.

‘HEARTS’ is the acronym for Healthy lifestyle counselling, Evidence-based protocols, Access to essential medicines and technology, Risk-based cardiovascular disease management, Team-based care and Systems for monitoring. It is fundamentally evidence-based practice in diagnosing and treating arterial hypertension.

During the launch on Friday, it was announced that two medications were added to the essential drug list as part of the treatment for patients with hypertension and cardiovascular disease. These two drugs are Telmisartan, available in two strengths, 40mg and 80mg, and Chlorthaidone, available in 12.5mg and 50mg.

The drugs will be available in Region Two and will be distributed to various health facilities by Friday of the new week.

Hypertension is deemed a “silent killer” and can lead to chronic kidney disease, heart disease, stroke, dementia and even death.

Coordinator of Chronic Diseases at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Michel Pereira, said the ‘HEARTS’ technical package is a collaborative effort between the ministry, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and aims to reduce some of the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases.

Dr Pereira explained that stroke and ischemic heart disease, arising from hypertension, are among the top three causes of death in Guyana, hence HEARTS aims to reduce premature death and disability from hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

Now that this is available at the Suddie Hospital free of cost, it will ease the travel time for residents who in the past had to travel for hours to access treatment.
Dr Pereira urged residents to ensure they test their blood pressure regularly and to practise a healthy lifestyle.

Chandrapattie of Perseverance Village, who is a hypertensive patient, said she was happy that such treatment is available in the region. She noted that the medication was very expensive and she was pleased that it was free of cost.