NCD commission gets new chairperson

─ new TORs introduced

─ secretariat to be established

─ commission to execute advisory role to government

─ significant component to helping Guyana achieve SDG #3

DPI, Guyana, Friday, March 1, 2019

Dr. Holly Alexander, A.A, representative of the St. John’s Brigade in Guyana is the new Chairperson of the Presidential body of the National Commission for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases in Guyana (NCPC-NCD). Dr. Grace White, a representative of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, has been elected Vice-Chairperson.

The Ministry of Public Health identified Dr. Alexander while the commissioners elected Dr. White.

The committee met for the first time in 2019 on Wednesday, February 27 and reviewed their Terms of References and identified priority areas in executing the plan of work for the next three years.

Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, who attended the first meeting, shared the government’s expectation with the reappointed commissioners as the commission begins its work.

The minister highlighted that following a capacity building workshop hosted in 2018; the Public Health Minister adopted most of the recommendations made by the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) for the effective functioning of the commission.

Minister Lawrence indicated that she has sought cabinet’s approval to first extend the life of the commission from February 1, 2019, to December 31, 2021. This, she said, will give the body more time to execute strategies and make an even greater impact in its role.

Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence [left] and Chairperson of the National Commission for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases in Guyana (NCPC-NCD), Dr. Holly Alexander, A.A

Commissioners during their meeting on Wednesday, February 28, 2019

Also, she had explained that based on recommendations made by the HCC, the health ministers were removed from the commission and the chairman, who was previously the Chief Medical Officer, was replaced.

“One of the oversights in the first construct was that the ministers were advising themselves and, immediately, we recognized that was a ‘no-no’ and we realised we needed to get persons from various organisations who can sit and deliberate and inform the ministers through the CMO [Chief Medical Officer] on policy changes and the gaps and all the other things we need to do to effect change at the highest level.”

The minister then charged the commissioners:

“The nation must hear from you, and I challenge you to use all the communication scope available to you to ensure that we meet our people… Once we can impact them in a significant way, we will be able to bring down all the risk factors and help transform lives.”

In her initial remarks as Chairperson, Dr. Alexander highlighted her expectations.

“We have to be responsible; we have to be mature, we have to be fully conscious that we are here to serve. We must see it as an honour to be selected to serve on a presidential commission, and if we see that, then we will understand we are the ones that will have to advise the government on policies and legislation when it comes to NCDs. We have to advise the minister on existing gaps relating to NCD prevention and control we have to facilitate research, etc.”

The commission will advise the government accordingly towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number three which seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for persons of all ages.

The commission is expected to meet monthly with the president expected to attend meetings quarterly. There is a balanced representation of the public and private sectors and civil society on the commission. There will be collaboration fostered with youth organisations, Indigenous bodies among others ensuring their interests are represented on the commission.

Representatives, who have been appointed to serve on the commission, are drawn from the Ministry of Public Health (who are ex officio members), Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Protection, Department of Social Cohesion, Youth, Culture and Sport, Ministry of Communities, Ministry of Business and Tourism, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Finance, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO), United Nations Children (Emergency) Fund (UNICEF), University of Guyana (UG), Inter-Religious Organisations, The Guyana Red Cross society, Food for the Poor Incorporated, Trade Union Representatives, along with other civil society representatives and media representatives.

Delicia Haynes

Images: Aubrey Odle (Ministry of Public Health)