Guyana works to eliminate diseases and improve healthcare
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In Guyana, Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony announced the government is increasing efforts to eliminate several infectious diseases and strengthen the country’s overall health system.
Dr. Anthony detailed these initiatives while speaking at a workshop focused on managing advanced HIV disease. The government is concentrating on lymphatic filariasis, leishmaniasis, leprosy, malaria, and hepatitis C, with evaluations already underway to certify the elimination of lymphatic filariasis.
Guyana is shifting its malaria strategy from control to elimination and is expanding hepatitis C treatment through collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), which has lowered treatment costs to under US$100 per patient. To support these goals, a new reference laboratory is under construction, equipped with technology for molecular surveillance and earlier infection detection. This investment aims to improve the country’s ability to respond to new and existing infectious diseases.
Beyond infrastructure, the Ministry of Health plans to invest in its healthcare workforce. Guyanese healthcare professionals will have increased access to training and fellowships with partner institutions in Brazil, the United States, Canada, India, and the United Kingdom, including Harvard University and McMaster University. The ministry will also review patient care in hospitals to ensure adherence to clinical guidelines and is working with Joint Commission International (JCI) to improve hospital service quality, always prioritizing patient-centered care.
