THE Ministry of Health (MoH), in collaboration with the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, the National Public Health Reference Laboratory (NPHRL), the Infectious Disease Department of Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), and the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO), conducted a series of Supervisory and Sensitisation visits to hospitals across Guyana between August and October.

The visits aimed to review hospital capacities and enhance operational readiness in critical areas, including Respiratory Virus Surveillance, Vector-Borne Diseases (VBDs), Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).

Site visits were completed at the following facilities: Mabaruma Regional Hospital, Suddie Regional Hospital, West Demerara Regional Hospital, Diamond Regional Hospital, Enmore Regional Hospital, Bath Regional Hospital, New Amsterdam Regional Hospital, Bartica Regional Hospital, Mahdia Regional Hospital, Lethem Regional Hospital, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), and Linden Hospital Complex.

According to the Ministry, these engagements allowed for on-site assessments, staff capacity-building, and the strengthening of coordination mechanisms, ensuring improved detection, prevention, and management of infectious diseases at the regional level.

Funded by PAHO/WHO, the initiative reflects MoH’s commitment to enhancing public health surveillance systems and equipping hospitals to respond effectively and sustainably to health threats.

Meanwhile, several key programmes continue across the country, including the Government’s Eye Testing and Spectacle Voucher Programme, the Universal Health Voucher, and the HPV Vaccination Programme.

In Region One, the Health Department has also been actively promoting community well-being, participating in events such as the Wauna Village Games, further demonstrating the Ministry’s dedication to ensuring that public health initiatives benefit residents in every region.

This comprehensive approach highlights the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, build local capacity, and improve health outcomes nationwide.