Health Ministry to intensify fight against NCDs – Ramsaran

Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran

Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran has pledged that the ministry will be intensifying the fight against the spread of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) this year, as it seeks to implement its 2013 strategic plan.
Such a move is aimed at addressing the various forms of cancer, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic pulmonary disease, as well as cataract.
Dr Ramsaran told Guyana Times International in a recent interview that the country is now transitioning from predominantly on “infectious diseases” country, to one where there is a high incidence of “having diseases of civilisation”.
He disclosed that NCDs affect thousands of persons globally each year. As such, the Health Ministry will focus on medical outreaches throughout the country to further sensitise the public about this epidemic.
Dr Ramsaran disclosed that the issues which facilitate these diseases will also be targeted as part of the health sector’s goal to ensure that people remain fit and practise healthy lifestyles.
It was noted that NCDs are usually cultivated by persons leading inactive lives compounded by tobacco smoking, alcohol abuse, and poor eating habits, such as high intake of fat, sugar and salt.

Impact development
The minister highlighted that it has been recognised internationally that NCDs have an impact on the development of many countries, so much attention is being paid to this epidemic worldwide.
He recalled that a few years ago HIV/ AIDS stood in the same position NCDs now occupy; however, after an intense response, the battle against HIV/ AIDS has been successful; no less a result is expected with NCDs.
The establishment of a National Commission on Non-Communicable Diseases is also a main focus of the ministry in 2013.
It forms part of the ministry’s strategy dubbed “Health Vision 20/ 20”, which is aimed at ensuring health services reach citizens across the country.
The strategy aims to: increase life expectancy for both men and women to over 70 years; decrease maternal mortality to below 80 for every 100,000 live births; decrease infant and child mortality to less than 14 and 16 respectively per 10,000 live births; decrease deaths caused by cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and lung disease by 25 per cent; reduce by 25 per cent the impact of smoking, harmful use of alcohol, physical inactivity, and unhealthy diet; reduce the risk and decrease incidence and prevalence of communicable diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria.

Strategic components
Some of the new strategic components include improved governance; the reorganising of health delivery; the application of evidence-based approaches; strengthening health sector financing, capacity building, and strategic information for planning and implementation; and developing performance management and monitoring systems.
According to Dr Ramsaran, medical evacuation is also a critical component. However, he stressed that outreaches do not replace regular services.
He said one way in which the ministry hopes to tackle NCDs is by extending the opening hours of health centres in various regions of Guyana.
Guyana Times International was told that there are between 300 and 350 health centres, facilities and hospitals throughout Guyana which are equipped with the basic types of medication to treat patients suffering from NCDs.
He emphasised the need for more equipment, reagents, and medical supplies to be placed in city health centres and hospitals to ensure that they all are stocked with necessary tools to continue the fight against NCDs.