–as Guyana enhances diagnoses, therapies in primary healthcare
–Mount Sinai, Gov’t working to expand screening for chronic conditions, illnesses
WITH more than 86,000 children already receiving comprehensive screening, Guyana is now moving to expand its nationwide health programme now targeting the country’s adolescent population.
The programme, first launched in June 2023, is in partnership with Mount Sinai and initially targeted some 27,000 nursery school children.
Executive Director of Mount Sinai, Rachel Vreeman, following a meeting with President Dr Irfaan Ali at State House on Thursday disclosed that young children had received comprehensive health examinations.
These included dental care, vision, hearing, development, and physical evaluations.
“Guyana’s ability to move forward this national child health screening programme is unparalleled around the world. I have not seen a single country that has been able to move forward with this kind of early childhood initiative with the speed and coverage that Guyana has,” she said adding:
“This is going to transform what primary care looks like for the children of Guyana, what it looks like for the health of the next generation, and to have data and to have the ability to respond to health issues and children and adolescents at this level is incredible.”
She noted that Mount Sinai is now working closely with the government to not only expand the programme beyond its initial target but also offer expertise, allowing the country to boost its paediatric care.
“We’re working to help to equip Guyana’s paediatricians to be the next champions and to lead the adolescent health into the future.”
A key focus in the renewed support will be addressing mental health, substance abuse, and early screening for autism.
“We’re working to expand services for adolescents and youth, we’re helping to grow the diagnoses and the therapies that are available for kids with challenges like autism,” she said.
The programme had sought to tackle the diverse challenges present in classrooms while simultaneously mitigating potential learning setbacks. The government wants to foster an understanding among young individuals about the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle and consuming a nutritious diet.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony noted that screening programmes will now be expanded to cover early diagnosis and managing chronic illness targeting or repository conditions, kidney conditions, and cancer.
“We are happy to work along with Mount Sinai. This partnership has been building a number of great results for us already,” he said.
“Already, we are seeing, because of these interventions that more people are complying with the treatment that has been given, and people are staying long for these treatments, and so therefore we are seeing less complications from [the] population.”
Further, during Thursday’s meeting, President Ali was briefed on the progress of several other key initiatives being implemented.
These included the upgrading of digital health services and expanded cardiovascular and cancer treatments.
President Ali and the Steering Committee also assessed the implementation of future projects as Guyana transitions into a modern healthcare economy.
Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh; Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony; Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation, Zulfikar Ally; and Hess Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, John Hess, along with executives from Mount Sinai Guyana, were also in attendance.
