September launch for NCPC-NCD

DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, August 16, 2017

The official launch of the National Commission for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCPC-NCD) in Guyana is expected during the annual ‘wellness week’ and will be hosted by the Ministry of Public Health.

The event will be held during the second week in September and caters for a number of activities, including two mini health fairs conducted in Regions Two and Ten

Since its orientation in May 2017, the NCPC-NCD held another statutory meeting on July 13, 2017 and one as recent as August, 16, 2017. At the last meeting, the commissioners discussed and finalised the 2017-2018 workplan, outlining some activities which is scheduled to be completed before the end of the year.

With this launch, four committees will now be better equipped to execute the functions of the commission. These are the Information, Education and Communication; Policies and Legislation; Risk Factors and Clinical Management and the Monitoring and Evaluation committees.

Additionally, various representatives from the commission will be participating in several health promotion packages. More specifically, they will attend the opening of a Diabetic Youth camp hosted by the Ministry of Public Health. The camp will see the participation of more than 50 youths living with diabetes in a three-day camp from August 23-25.

The objective of the commission is centered around addressing major risk factors for NCDs, and will focus heavily on health promotion and awareness as it aims to reduce NCDs in Guyana.

By: Delicia Haynes