GUYANA’S commitment to advancing public health has taken a significant leap forward with the launch of the “National Hepatitis Guidelines and Laboratory Strategy,” a collaborative effort between the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the Ministry of Health.
The launch event was held at the Ministry of Health’s (MoH) conference room on Brickdam and featured presentations by key health officials, including Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony.
Minister Anthony highlighted the government’s ambitious goals for public health, emphasising the priority placed on combating infectious diseases.
“We have big ambitions for public health in Guyana,” Dr. Anthony stated. He explained that reducing infectious diseases would enable the government to allocate more resources towards addressing chronic, non-communicable diseases and other health concerns.
“We have set ourselves the task of eliminating a number of neglected infections from Guyana, and I think that so far, we are on target to do that,” Dr. Anthony said. He also underscored the government’s dedication to meeting global targets for HIV by 2030, despite challenges posed by the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Anthony acknowledged the financial hurdles faced by both high-income and middle-income countries in funding healthcare programmes. He urged regional and international officials to rethink strategies for securing funding to maintain progress in public health initiatives.
Reflecting on the 2024 budget allocation, Dr. Anthony praised the government’s substantial investments in the health sector.
“In Guyana, we have been very fortunate; as a government, we have made significant investments in health, and in our last budget, health received a big chunk of the money from that budget,” he noted. These funds are being used to eliminate diseases and ensure access to medical services for all citizens, regardless of their location.

The Director of the Department of Global HIV, Hepatitis, and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes (HHS) at the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Meg Doherty, expressed her enthusiasm for Guyana’s public health vision.
On her first visit to the region, Dr. Doherty remarked, “I am very pleased to be here in Guyana. One thing that was discussed with the honourable minister (Dr. Frank Anthony) was their vision, which is very similar to what we are looking for at WHO and with PAHO.”
Dr. Doherty commended Guyana’s efforts to end infections of HIV, hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections, aligning with WHO’s goals to eliminate AIDS, hepatitis B and C, and STIs by 2030.
She expressed particular excitement about the hepatitis C guidelines, noting the potential for a significant public health impact. “Currently, globally, only 30 percent of people who are living with hepatitis C know their status; less than 20 percent are getting treated. So, here in Guyana, you have an opportunity to really make a huge public health difference with the work that you are going to do,” she stated.
The launch of the National Hepatitis Guidelines and Laboratory Strategy marks a major milestone in Guyana’s public health journey, reflecting a collaborative effort to enhance healthcare access and outcomes for all citizens.