A US$3.7M ($758M) programme aimed at eliminating malaria in Region Nine over a five-year period was on Thursday introduced to regional officials and other stakeholders, a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release said.

Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, and a team from the ministry’s Malaria Unit outlined the plan to stakeholders including non-governmental organisations and indigenous groups. They also updated the group on the region’s malaria response. GINA said the discussions focused on what actions will be taken during the said period to eradicate the disease.

The programme is subsidized by the Global Fund which provides money to tackle HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, and a technical team from this agency is expected in Guyana before March. “The Ministry of Health will be involved in contractual discussions with specific targets and based on how well the Ministry and the programme respond, so will the money be released,” Ramsammy said.

During the initial stages the ministry will ensure that every health-care worker is trained to perform microscopy and it will equip each health facility in the Upper Essequibo/Upper Takutu region with a microscope. “There should be no village in this country with a health post, health centre or hospital where the workers are not able to make a diagnosis. We do have workers who are doing a good job and should be commended for this, but not all of them are trained,” the minister said.

In addition, vehicles will be obtained for malaria outreach work as the facilities in the region are located far from each other. The ministry, through the agency, will supply the fuel for the vehicles. Funds will also be used to buy more impregnated bed nets which have proven effective in reducing the spread of the disease. A malaria control plan has also been developed and is being executed in four stages.

GINA said too a Malaria Prevention Council comprising toshaos, health care workers, members of the religious community, housewives and teachers was also formed. It is also in the process of establishing malaria clubs to increase education and awareness of the disease and its prevention.

The ministry said it has recorded about a 50% reduction in malaria cases though its target this year is to have less than 15, 000 cases by year end.

The minister said the success of Guyana’s malaria fight is due to the participation of international partners in implementing effective measures of control including providing impregnated nets and insect repellents for high risk areas. Medications and drugs are provided at health facilities countrywide.