Health Ministry establishing action plan against Ebola

Guyana is moving towards establishing an action plan to deal with the Ebola Virus, and in this regard a wide cross-section of stakeholders met yesterday, GINA said.

Participants were drawn from the Ministry of Health, various hospitals, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, the Civil Defence Commission, Ministry of Foreign Trade and International Co-operation, Guyana Revenue Authority, Veterinary Public Health, Ministry of Agriculture and the Civil Aviation Department among others.

Minister of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran said that even before yesterday’s meeting, work had been ongoing regarding students in Guyana who came from Africa. However, he noted that checks on them have proved them safe.

Stakeholders meeting to formulate an action plan against the Ebola Virus (GINA photo)  
Stakeholders meeting to formulate an action plan against the Ebola Virus (GINA photo)
 

“I am happy that you have joined us in this multi-stakeholder approach, and I hope that you will create for us a barrier against the disease penetrating (Guyana), and if we do have cases, we will quickly identify and isolate them, and the good work that you will do today, will allow us to triumph quickly,” the Minister stated.

Ramsaran that a lot of work has been done in relation to identifying isolation areas.

Dr. Mariano Bonet, Epidemiologist, PAHO/ WHO, giving a background of the Ebola virus pointed out that it is not new but the virus is approximately 40 years old. He lamented the fact that there is still no vaccine or treatment for it.  .

GINA said that  Dr. William Adu-Krow, Representative of PAHO/WHO in Guyana urged that all should be on the alert. He also insisted that rapid detection is necessary to capture the symptoms of the disease.