Achievements in 2002 paved way for health sector
- Ramsammy
Stabroek News
January 21, 2003
Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy says 2002 was the year that set the stage for accelerated improvement in Guyana’s health sector.
He was speaking at a press conference at the Ministry’s boardroom last week in which he reviewed the past year. He said in spite of many constraints, “we were able to carry out much of the programmes.”
He listed a number of initiatives as being significant. These included:
1. The completion of a New Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS 2003 - 2007. Cabinet has endorsed this plan and its implementation has already begun.
2. The completion of a National Health Plan 2003 - 2007. This plan is to be considered by Cabinet within the next 8 weeks.
3. The completion of a five-year (2003 - 2007) financial sustainability plan for the expanded immunisation programme.
4. The completion of a National Disability Plan 2003 - 2007.
5. The completion of an agreement with the IDB for the implementation of a nutrition project 2003 - 2007.
6. The signing of an agreement with Japan for the construction of the New Amster-dam Hospital. Tenders for this venture were advertised in November. These tenders will be opened on January 27 in Japan.
7. Introduction of anti-retroviral drugs for the management of HIV/AIDS patients and the adoption of a national treatment protocol.
8. The Ministry’s adoption of an adolescent health plan and the initiation of an inter-sector committee to finalise an adolescent healthy lifestyle programme. This committee is expected to complete the draft for presentation to Cabinet during the first quarter of 2003.
