Commission on NCDs secretariat equipped to function more effectively
─ PAHO supports establishment of presidential commission secretariat
DPI, Guyana, Friday, July 19, 2019
The PAHO/WHO office in Guyana has made a donation to the Presidential Commission on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) that will assist in the execution of its advisory functions. The commission received a desktop computer, a printer and a backup battery.
Receiving the equipment on behalf of the commission was Chairperson, Dr. Holly Alexander noted that this gesture will go a far way in the supporting the functions of the commission’s secretariat.
Dr. William Adu-Krow, PAHO/WHO Representative, Guyana hands over the equipment to Dr. Holly Alexander, Chairperson, Presidential National Commission on Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases – Guyana in the presence of other commissioners.
This comes as a time when the commission has been reconstituted to serve from February 2019 to December 2021. Dr. William Adu-Krow, PAHO/WHO’s Representative, has indicated that this move is intended to ensure the secretariat functions optimally. The secretariat is located in the recently constructed Mental Health Unit building in Quamina Street.
According to the official Terms of Reference of the Commission, there must be an established committee financed by the Ministry of Public Health. This office is expected to ensure that meetings are held, documentation for the commission is filed and distributed as necessary among other administrative tasks.
The contribution made by PAHO/WHO will aid in the effective execution of the roles of the commission’s secretariat.
In February, a new Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson namely Dr. Holly Alexander and Dr. Grace White were identified to lead the commission through a reoriented mandate to serve in an advisory capacity to the government on measures to prevent and control Non-Communicable Diseases in Guyana.
The commission will also advise the government accordingly, towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #3; which seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for persons of all ages.