The Ministry of Health has started its mass treatment programme for the elimination of lymphatic filariasis (LF) and other worm infestation countrywide.
In a press release Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy said based on the success of the DEC-salt campaign the ministry is taking direct aim at eliminating LF and other kinds of worm infestation particularly in children and youth. In this regard the ministry is currently engaged in a collaborative exercise with other ministries, the private sector, faith-based, civil-society and international organisations for mass treatment.
According to the release the international partners are PAHO/WHO, UNICEF, USAID and the US CDC. The local partners are the education, local government, Amerindian affairs and youth ministries, the NDCs, the Seventh Day Adventist Church which has a global de-worming programme, the CIOG, the Guyana Council of Churches, the Dharmic Sabha, the IRO and the Ba’hais.
The treatment programme has started in Region Five and the ministry expects it to be completed by month-end. The programme will then continue in another region before year-end and is expected to be completed in all other regions by June month-end.
According to the release a mapping exercise was conducted in Region Five and, with assistance from the Bureau of Statistics it was divided into nine geographical areas. Consultation with stakeholders is ongoing and the IEC materials have been developed. The ministry said a massive information strategy has also been developed and will be implemented in the region by the third week of the month. This exercise is intended to explain to residents the objectives of the programme and provide guidelines about the medication prescribed. As the programme is conducted throughout the country similar exercises would be undertaken.
The treatment entails prescribing one Albendazole and DEC tablet for vulnerable persons. Pregnant women are exempt from participating in the programme. During the house-to-house visitation and distribution volunteers are expected to refer persons suffering with associated health problems such as lymphoedema and hydrocele to the Mahaicony, Fort Wellington, New Amsterdam or Georgetown hospital for immediate attention.
The ministry said volunteers are being screened and will be trained over the next two weeks. They are expected to be drawn from the communities set to benefit, the ministries and NGOs such as Volunteer Youth Corps and the Rotaract Club.
