Inclusive, reliable, equitable health services for all
─ four-day Health Expo 2019 opens
By Synieka Thorne
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, June 6, 2019
The Ministry of Public Health launched its second annual ‘Health Expo’ at the Sophia Exhibition Centre, Wednesday evening, under the theme ‘reaching for a better life with good health’.
In his feature address at the opening ceremony, Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock emphasised that the government remains committed to doing its part in ensuring that every citizen has access to comprehensive, reliable and equitable health services.
“A good life and good health are indispensable to each other; it is obvious that life is definitely better with good health. We can have every other resource and amenity available at our fingertips, but without our health, the value of everything else is diminished. Therefore, the good health of our nation is a pillar for the real development of this beautiful country.”
The minister added that the intention to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all, at all age would be reflective of real development of our country measured by the health and happiness of the citizens, in keeping with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #3.
“Whether you live on the lively coast or amongst the beautiful Pakaraima Mountains, [it is important] that you have access to proper medical services. That will encourage the effective growth of your mental and physical health.”
This, the minister said, is just the beginning of ensuring that the three priorities in health care – universal access to public health coverage, universal primary healthcare and preventative healthcare, as set out by President David Granger, are achieved for the successful attainment of SDG #3. This administration’s commitment to achieving these can be seen in the increased budget allocation for the public health sector by over $10Billion from 2015 to 2019.
The Ministry of Public Health also came in for high commendation for executing initiatives such as the ‘We are at your Door Initiative’ which targets public servants; the recently launched ‘Vaccination Week in the Americas’, which is vital in preventative health care and in the emphasis of immunisation of the nation; the training of medical personnel on the use of implants and IUDs contraceptives to aid in the reduction of maternal mortality and morbidity; as well as the establishment of the Tobacco Council to regulate tobacco use and sale.
During her remarks, Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence affirmed that in Guyana’s Constitution, it is enshrined, access to inclusive and quality public health coverage. This, she said, is the cornerstone and fundamental principles which guide all of the government’s programmes and policies entitled, ‘Every citizen to free medical attention’.
“The intent and vision of the Ministry of Public Health, in moving forward, are to identify the gaps that exist in terms of accessibility and to work conscientiously to bridge them. Our objective is to avail our communities and neighbourhood regions of the health amenities that our coastal residents enjoy. This is the only way that can truly achieve SDG 3, which speaks of ensuring the health and well-being of all.”
She said that the ministry’s agenda focuses on the accessibility of health care services, that is, ensuring that citizens can access free primary health care which constitutes the pillar of the health care system – primary healthcare, as was evident at the recently held World Health Assembly in Geneva.
According to Minister Lawrence, this is evident with the increase in the number of health centres in several communities- two in Region 5; two in Region 6 and three to be commissioned in Regions 7 and 9.
The four-day Health Expo aims to develop synergies between the Ministry of Public Health and all the health care providers and more importantly, the general public.
Present at the commissioning of the expo was Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings, Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine and members of the Diplomatic Corps.
Images: Marceano Narine