The Maternal and Child Survival Programme’s (MCSP) Zika Response, National Dissemination, an initiative aimed at equipping medical personnel with knowledge on the treatment of patients who have contracted Zika, was officially closed out yesterday.
A Department of Public Information (DPI) release explained that through the 15-month programme— a Government of Guyana and United States partnership which began on January 1, 2018 and ended on March 1, 2019— the Ministry of Public Health was able to improve the clinical capacity of service providers for newborns and small babies, improve health workers’ abilities to provide therapeutic, early stimulation to children experiencing development delays, and provide psychosocial support to mothers and families affected by Zika.
Zika, a virus transmitted through infected mosquitoes, and which can be passed from mother to child, may cause serious birth defects to the brains of unborn children and affect their physical appearance.
DPI noted that government’s role in the initiative is part of the fulfilment of its mandate to promote good health and preventative care for all, and goes hand in hand with the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3— good health and wellbeing.
United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, during yesterday’s session, noted the impact the capacity building sessions will have on the country’s disaster preparedness response should another Zika outbreak occur.
“It is my pleasure to be here for today’s close out event of the Maternal and Child Survival Programme. The health partnership between our governments supported clinical and non-clinical Zika services benefitting infants, children and families across Guyana. It shows that significant impact has been made to fight the first outbreak of Zika and prepare Guyana for the next,” she stated.
