Guyana is stepping up efforts to eliminate several infectious diseases while strengthening laboratory capacity, healthcare worker training and clinical quality across its health system. Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony made the disclosure while addressing the Strengthening Clinical Capacity for the Management of Advanced HIV Disease in Guyana workshop, held at the Ministry of Health's Boardroom, Brickdam, from September 14-15.

Dr Anthony identified lymphatic filariasis, leishmaniasis, leprosy, malaria and hepatitis C as diseases where significant progress has been made and where further action could result in elimination or substantial reductions in disease burden. Guyana is currently undergoing evaluations related to lymphatic filariasis, and he expressed optimism that the country is approaching certification for having eliminated the disease.

He said Guyana must increasingly shift its approach to malaria from control towards elimination, while also highlighting ongoing efforts to address leishmaniasis and leprosy.

Costs Slashed

On hepatitis C, Dr Anthony said the high cost of treatment had historically been a significant barrier to care, but collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization has brought medicine costs to under US$100 per patient, opening the door to expanded diagnosis and treatment.

"The reason why we targeted hep C is that we were diagnosing people when they came for blood transfusion, but we didn't have a means of treating them," he said, adding that the focus now must shift to linking diagnosed patients to treatment.

Dr Anthony also outlined plans to strengthen the country's laboratory and disease-surveillance capabilities, including a new reference laboratory under construction that will be equipped with improved technology for molecular surveillance and earlier infection detection.

"These investments will strengthen Guyana's capacity to respond to emerging infectious diseases," he said, noting that local laboratories could eventually serve as reference facilities for specific conditions.

Training Partnerships

The Minister said strengthening the health system also requires sustained investment in human resources, pointing to training and fellowship opportunities for Guyanese healthcare professionals through partnerships in Brazil, the United States, Canada, India and the United Kingdom. Institutions referenced included Harvard University, Mount Sinai Health System, Northwell Hospital, McMaster University and Apollo University, among other international collaborators.

He encouraged physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals to take advantage of these opportunities, and noted additional online training is available through UK universities.

The Ministry is also preparing to roll out a strengthened approach to clinical quality governance at hospitals, under which teams will review patient charts and assess whether care aligns with established clinical guidelines.

Where gaps are identified, teams will work with providers to address deficiencies, and Dr Anthony said persistent failure to adhere to guidelines will require further action. The Ministry is also working with Joint Commission International through a pathway programme aimed at improving hospital service quality.

"Ultimately, the people that we should have in focus are our patients," Dr Anthony said, stressing that hospital care must remain patient-centred.

He said the combined initiatives are intended to build a stronger health system capable of responding to existing and emerging health challenges, and urged workshop participants to apply the knowledge gained in their respective facilities to help raise the overall quality of healthcare delivered in Guyana.