The Ministry of Health yesterday launched its Health Vision 2020 which is its strategic plan for the years 2014-2020 and according to Chief Medical Officer Dr Shamdeo Persaud the plan will help to address several challenges such as human resources and health illiteracy.
The plan, which was launched at the Guyana International Conference Centre is said to be the culmination of a broad inter-sectoral coordination and collaboration and included a wide range of governmental agencies, multi-sectoral stakeholders, private sector, local and international non-governmental and development organisations.
According to Dr Zoila Fletcher-Payton, Consultant, Health Surveillance & Disease Preven-tion & Control, who represented PAHO/WHO, the country is well on its way to achieving the Millennium Develop-ment Goals (MDGs) health targets for 2015. She said the strategic document sets out the plan
for long term health planning aimed at consolidating the progress made to date in health outcomes and system strengthening. It also aims at accelerating closure in the remaining gaps in meeting the MDGs, establishing a post-MDG agenda for Guyana through expanding universal health coverage and enabling health-enhancing behavioural and cultural changes in and through the delivery of improved health services.
She pointed out that health is a key developmental determinant and the health plan outlines how to achieve the goal of health for all of Guyana in a landscape where non-communicable diseases play a major role. These diseases, she said, place an increasing demand on health systems and services and advanced medical care.
“In addition, to these challenges, Guyana faces an increased burden of injuries and disabilities due to violence and accidents and the often forgotten challenge of providing g adequate mental health services, including caring for an increasing elderly population,” Fletcher-Payton said.
She said the plan-which PAHO/WHO played a vital role in developing- highlights the fact that determinants to health lie beyond the direct sphere of influence of the Ministry of Health. Non-communicable diseases, she said, are lifestyle-related and as such require a very broad approach to stimulate physical activity, good nutrition, quit smoking, moderate use of alcohol and responsible driving.
The plan covers 13 components and chief among them is health governance and leadership which addresses the need to establish good governance in the health sector. The plan will also support the implementation of ‘Strengthening the Foundation: A Health Human Resource Action Plan for Guyana 2011-2016’ which targets the strengthening of the Ministry of Health’s capacity to plan, manage, develop and deploy human resources.
There is also the health financing component which is expected to support the achievement of universal health coverage through increased financial protection followed by improving the quality and availability of health information. Under drugs and medical supplies the plan states that there will be improved accessibility and adequacy of the supply of essential, quality, safe, cost effective, scientifically sound drugs and medical products.
According to the overview as given by Dr Fletcher-Payton there is also an improved service delivery component which will be achieved through the establishment of an Integrated Health Service Delivery Network. There are also strategic partnerships to be had which will enable increased health coverage of the population and expanded skills, resources and technologies in the health sector. There is also the health-across-the-human-life-course approach which targets clinical preventative family health services and health promotion strategies while ensuring a continuum of health care coverage and access for all populations. Key to this will be improving sexual and reproductive health services and implementation of the Strategic Plan for Reducing Maternal and Neonatal Mortality.
The tackling of non-communicable diseases will be done through the reduction of modifiable risk factors and premature mortality from chronic diseases, including mental health, accidents and violence. In addition to the three better known communicable diseases: HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis, the ministry has concluded detailed strategic plans up to 2020 and these are integrated in the Health Vision 2020. Strategic actions also include the strengthening of vector control services through the establishment of a unified framework and strategic information system for vector-borne diseases.
The plan also addresses strategic objectives in environmental health to promote health-supportive environments and mitigation of health impacts of disasters and environmental health crises. Under the plan the issues of food security and nutrition and health promotion will also be addressed.
Minister of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran in lauding the document told 23 new Cuban-trained doctors who were present at the launching that they should read it and let it be their guide. He said the new doctors would improve the country’s health sector and noted that there is room for development locally as the ministry is now offering post-graduate training in some areas. However, he warned that to get into the programme will be a rigorous process as the doctors’ work ethic would be taken into consideration and these include punctuality and patient care.
“You will have progression but you will have to perform and it will not be smooth sailing,” he warned the new doctors noting that currently Guyana depends on many Cuban, Indian and Chinese nationals for specialized health care.
The doctors were also told that their continued education would be taken into consideration whenever it is time for them to be registered.
