Dr Genara Thomas, an advanced Microbiologist Specialist and National PAHO Consultant on Antimicrobial Resistance from Argentina, will be conducting a training programme for Guyanese medical personnel from September 25th to September 27th.
The programme is part of a two-year project on “Strengthening National and Regional Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Detection and Surveillance in CARICOM (Caribbean Community) Member States”, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) release stated.
The project is a collaboration between South-South and Triangular Cooperation Fund of Argentina, the Pan-American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and CARICOM. It seeks to strengthen regional AMR detection and surveillance in CARICOM member states; establish national programmes of quality control in matters of antimicrobial resistance; strengthen the availability of information among health professionals regarding the prescription of antimicrobials; generate and train officials to use a Caribbean database; and to enhance knowledge of the application of standardised laboratory procedures.
As part of the ongoing cooperation between Argentina and CARICOM on the project, the Argentine Ambassador to Guyana, Dr Felipe Alejandro Gardella, yesterday called on Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karen Cummings, to hold discussions. The Foreign Minister and the Ambassador were joined by the National Tuberculosis Programme Manager, Dr Jeetendra Mohanlall.
According to MoFA, the project will contribute to implementation of the WHO Global Antimicrobial Surveillance System (GLASS) as part of a global effort to monitor the burden of disease and impact of interventions related to AMR. It will also support surveillance and research to strengthen the evidence base and help inform decision-making to drive national, regional, and global action.
