GUYANA is investing more heavily in healthcare than at any other period in its history, but one of the most important battles being fought does not begin in a hospital. It begins at home, at the dinner table, on the road, in the office, and in the small choices people make every day.
That is why Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony’s call for Guyanese to adopt more active lifestyles deserves more than passing attention. Chronic non-communicable diseases remain the leading cause of death in Guyana, accounting for roughly 68 per cent of all deaths. Cardiovascular disease alone accounts for about 34 per cent, while diabetes and cancers each account for around eight per cent. These are not marginal public health concerns. They are among the biggest threats to the country’s quality of life and long-term productivity.
The Government has already moved aggressively on the treatment side. Guyana now has a dedicated Non-Communicable Diseases programme, expanded hypertension and cardiovascular services, nephrology care, tobacco cessation support, and more decentralised clinical services. Screening for cancers and other chronic conditions has also become a greater part of the national health strategy, while new hospitals and improved regional services are bringing care closer to citizens.
But treatment alone will never be enough.
A health system can manage diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease and heart problems, but it is far more effective when those conditions are prevented or delayed in the first place. That is where exercise, diet, reduced tobacco and alcohol use, stress management and regular screening become critical.
Dr. Anthony’s point that even 30 minutes of daily activity can make a difference is, therefore, practical advice, not a slogan. For many Guyanese, exercise does not require a gym membership or expensive equipment. It can mean walking around the neighbourhood in the evening, taking the stairs, cycling, playing sport with children, gardening or making a deliberate effort to move more during the day.
That matters because Guyana’s development is changing lifestyles. More people are driving instead of walking. Desk jobs are increasing. Convenience foods are more accessible. Urbanisation is reducing physical activity, while long working hours often make healthier routines harder to maintain.
The danger is that economic progress can improve living standards while quietly worsening health if society does not adjust.
This is precisely why the Government’s focus on wellness must continue alongside its investment in hospitals, technology and specialised treatment. A modern healthcare system should not only cure illness after it appears; it should help citizens avoid illness where possible.
There is also an economic reason for getting this right. A population burdened by chronic disease loses productive years, faces higher household medical costs, and places greater pressure on the public health system. Prevention, therefore, saves lives, but it also saves money and protects the workforce.
As Guyana continues its rapid transformation, the country should not only aim to live longer. It should aim to live better. The Government can provide the systems, services and support. The rest begins with us.