Guyana makes historic launch of multi-purpose vaccine
THE Ministry of Health and Labour broke new ground Thursday with the launching of a pentavalent vaccine to immunise children under a year old.
The historic initiative at Campbellville Health Centre in Georgetown was described by officials as significant in the attempt to further reduce child mortality which has been declining over recent years.
Some children were vaccinated before a formal ceremony at which Minister of Health and Labour, Dr Henry Jeffrey and Chief Medical Officer Dr Rudolph Cummings were among those officiating. Former President Janet Jagan, in an address to launch the drive, said Guyana has a remarkable record in its immunisation programme.
She said a recent meeting of the Executive Board of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) was told there has been 90 per cent coverage of children - an important step in meeting the conditions of the rights of the child.
Mrs Jagan lauded the work of the Health Ministry, noting that cases of measles, mumps and rubella are significantly less now and no new polio patients have been recorded since 1995. She disclosed that this country will benefit from the Global Alliance for Vaccine Initiative (GAVI) in the form of a US$300,000 annual grant for vaccination and other supplies for the thrust.
"We are adding to the protection against diseases which can affect our children," Mrs Jagan observed.
She said she is certain the Government, through its budgetary allocations, will continue to place emphasis on the scheme that can also lower the risk of Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus infections.
The vaccine is proving to be protective against Haemophilus influenza and Hepatitis B, too.
Acting Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Representative in Guyana, Mr Wilton Conliff said the medication was purchased from his agency's revolving fund for 2000.
"The introduction of the pentavalent vaccine shows Government's commitment to improve child health in Guyana by preventing diseases that can result in significant morbidity and mortality in young children," he asserted.
Conliff said GAVI will supply Guyana with pentavalent to cover the target population over the next five years, beginning in 2001. The Government had initially applied for a one-year quota but because it was impressed with an evaluation of the local project, GAVI decided to give doses for a longer period, he explained.
PAHO had sponsored an international team of evaluators who came here in May, after an assessment was required on the basis of Guyana's application to GAVI. In addition, the Ministry of Health with the assistance of Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) established a surveillance system for Haemophilus influenza, one of the ailments treatable with pentavalent.
Conliff said laboratory training was provided to selected staff of Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) and the Ministry, in order to facilitate the survey on Neisseria meningitis and Streptococcus pneumonia, as well. (Guyana Information Services)
 Follow the goings-on in Guyana
|