PAHO donation to boost disease detection

PAHO on Friday donated US$10,000 worth of equipment to the Guyana Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory to boost its capacity to ensure that systems are in place to conduct surveillance and to detect and diagnose diseases that may affect animal and public health.

The equipment will upgrade the laboratory to reinforce early detection and prevention of Avian Influenza (bird flu) and includes a scientific advance stereo microscope, a thermo scientific water bath, an automatic Pipettor and a ph meter, a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release said. Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Country Director Dr Kathleen Israel handed over the items to Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud at the laboratory in the ministry’s compound on Regent Street and Vlissengen Road. Several senior officers from the Animal Health Department including Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Kenrick Elias and personnel from PAHO attended the brief ceremony.
In his address, Persaud said he was grateful for PAHO’s support as it was important to strengthen animal health systems in the light of efforts to advance the livestock sector. The equipment will boost the laboratory’s capacity to conduct more comprehensive testing that was not possible before. Reference was also made for the need to ensure capacity that will provide results that are acceptable internationally and thus the focus on more in-depth testing and capacity to manage veterinary systems. Currently, 14 veterinarians are deployed countrywide while enhanced surveillance systems for various diseases have been developed.

According to GINA, one of the main activities being pursued through the modernisation effort is to build a state-of-the-art veterinary laboratory at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.

This will be done under the agricultural diversification initiative to develop the livestock sector with particular emphasis on beef and beef products.

Additionally, the private sector has been involved in managing the laboratory to ensure that the livestock industry benefit from its services.

Meanwhile, Israel highlighted the regional simulation exercise conducted late last year to test Guyana’s preparedness to deal with a possible outbreak of bird flu. Discussions were also held on ways of improving the systems in place to ensure early detection of the disease. Israel emphasised that the priority remains keeping the country free from the diseases and pointed out that there is no control over this and therefore, focus must be placed on vigilance for early detection so there could be a rapid response.

GINA said the laboratory was established on June 22, 2006 and has moved Guyana closer to achieving international standards for the certification of livestock and other meat products for export.