The Ministry of Health’s Adolescent Health Department is making significant strides in updating and implementing health strategies tailored to adolescents, aligning with national and regional policies governing Guyana, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
During a recent episode of the Health Matters Programme, Adolescent Health Coordinator Cilandell Glen highlighted the department’s collaborative efforts with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Glen revealed that one of the key projects undertaken by the department is the revision of the Adolescent Health Strategy, last implemented in 2007. With assistance from PAHO and UNICEF, work commenced in 2018 to develop an updated strategy, which is expected to be finalized and implemented from 2025 to 2030.

“We know that we have the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and this strategy aligns with those objectives. By 2030, we will have a new and comprehensive adolescent health strategy in place,” Glen stated.
In addition to this, the department has been working on the Adolescent Health Pregnancy Prevention Strategy, a WHO initiative designed to combat adolescent pregnancy rates. Through a grant from UNFPA, referred to as the “Indian Grant,” Guyana has been able to adopt international standards and guidelines for delivering healthcare services to adolescents. Glen noted that Guyana is the second country in Latin America and the Caribbean to adopt this framework, following Jamaica. The draft strategy is expected to be officially adopted soon.
Although the Pregnancy Prevention Strategy has not been formally launched, the department has already begun training healthcare workers to ensure its successful implementation.
“In order for us to achieve positive health outcomes for adolescents, we need guiding documents, and this strategy serves that purpose,” Glen explained. The document outlines six key standards, including collaboration with community leaders, health promotion, and the delivery of adolescent-focused services.

Meanwhile, Acting Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Officer, Nurse Shawina Davis, provided insight into the department’s core initiatives. These include the adolescent health and wellness clinic, the adolescent parent and support group, and the community support group. Currently, approximately 100 healthcare workers have been trained in adolescent health services, and 75 clinics across the regions have been designated as adolescent-friendly sites where young people can access vital health information.
“We also have our Adolescent Antenatal Clinic, where we focus on teen mothers, ensuring they receive the necessary prenatal care. Additionally, these young mothers benefit from reintegration support to return to school if they wish,” Davis noted.
The Health Matters Programme also underscored the importance of peer educators in delivering health education. According to Focal Point Officer Wendy Seepersaud, trained peer educators visit schools, churches, and health fairs to conduct awareness sessions on critical topics such as drug abuse, nutrition, teenage pregnancy, dental and eye care, among others.

“We are currently seeking individuals between the ages of 17 and 20, who are neither working nor studying, to visit the Adolescent Health Department for training as peer health educators. Interested persons can also contact us at 223-5310 to sign up,” Seepersaud stated.
She further emphasized the role of school health clubs, which have been established in each administrative region. These clubs train students and teachers to deliver health-related messages within schools, fostering a culture of awareness and proactive healthcare among youth.
Seepersaud encouraged parents to support their children in engaging in healthy activities, ensuring their overall well-being and development into healthy adults.
The Ministry of Health remains committed to advancing adolescent health initiatives through strategic planning, international collaboration, and community engagement, ultimately enhancing healthcare access and outcomes for young people in Guyana.