HPV mass testing programme to combat chronic diseases, cancer

–– Dr Ramsammy says women 30 years, above being targeted

CHRONIC diseases have accounted for 74 per cent of deaths in Guyana, and the Ministry of Health is working to lessen this percentage and ensure the population remains healthy.

Chronic diseases are defined broadly as conditions that last one year or more and require ongoing medical attention, limited daily activities, or both. Chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are the leading causes of death and disability worldwide.

Adviser to the Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, disclosed during a recent online programme, ‘The Guyana Dialogue,’ that a Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) testing programme for women ages 30 and older will be rolled out shortly.

He said the programme would be used as one of the frontline interventions to identify people at risk and provide immediate medical attention.

“More than 85 per cent of all cervical cancer are due to HPV 16 and 18 in Guyana, and therefore, if we could identify people who are HPV positive, we would identify people at risk for cervical cancer and maybe other cancers too,” he the acquisition of what was supposed to be a new asset for just around $300 million. One year afterwards, we spent more than $300 million on spares, and that takes it to about $600-plus million. That vessel is costing us about $50 million annually to maintain,” President Ali explained.

However, the Arapaima not only comes with a year of free maintenance and warranty, but it is also expected that starting in the second year, maintenance of the ship will cost no more than $20 million and will use less fuel.

Noting that the maritime sector has always been the backbone of global trade, the President asserted that shipping has accounted for 90 per cent of Guyana’s trade, and thus, the sector is a vital and indispensable segment of global and national economies.

–– as part of efforts to modernise local maritime sector - President Ali says

President Ali said, “the economic transformation cannot be realised without the modernisation of its maritime sector”.

Further, he stated that Guyana had set itself on the path to not only develop its maritime sector but also help other industries in the economy, along with providing support to trade and commerce and ensuring maritime safety, all to support the country’s economic growth.

He added that the government is aggressively seeking the purchase of a marine firefighter vessel as part of its objective to improve the industry.

In addition, the President remarked that because shipping activity is growing exponentially—it increased by 30 per cent last year and has already surpassed that amount this year—the government is putting a lot of effort into making shipping fast and efficient.

“Guyana is therefore moving rapidly to modernise its maritime sector to ensure that we are ready to operate in a modern economy,” the President asserted.

President Ali stated that work is being done on updating the hydrographic chart to maintain an efficient trade in the oil and gas field and strive to produce a modernised industry.

Further, he noted that in the past two years, the government had spent over $1 billion on marine navigation aids, including the building of 15 beacons in the upper reaches of the Essequibo River, and that more beacons are currently being built in the lower reaches, along with twenty-eight beacons in the Demerara River, all to facilitate safe and continuous navigation in the waterways.

The President added that because human resources are crucial to the development of the maritime industry, it is a provision of the agreements with France, the United States of America, and India that training facilities and modules be made available to individuals working in the maritime industry.

Moreover, in his address, the Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, added that the arrival of the Arapaima Pilot Vessel marks a “historic day in the Maritime sector of our country.”

He also stated that with the increase in marine traffic and commerce, “we must have effective systems in place to ensure the safety and efficiency of our environment.” stated.

“Safety on our waterways is something that is of utmost importance to this government,” he asserted.

This measure would be complemented by frequent monitoring and the introduction of pap smears and cryotherapy, among other medical interventions, for persons with cervical cancer.

Additionally, the ministry is currently implementing HbA1c measurements in all primary healthcare centres to detect diabetes at an early stage.

“We do foot screening across the country. This year we expect to screen a child for vision and hearing. Just broadly introducing screening earlier and wider, so it reaches people wherever they live,” the health adviser relayed.

Meanwhile, a massive breast cancer screening programme will also be launched.“We already have a cervical screening programme that is reaching people nationally…We are educating men about prostate. It is a lot of work that is going on,” he further disclosed.

Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony also spoke about launching a wellness initiative that is geared towards promoting a healthier lifestyle among the Guyanese population.