Health Ministry’s strategic plan on stream
--Ramsammy
Guyana Chronicle
December 8, 2003
GINA - The Strategic Plan 2002/2006 to combat HIV/AIDS is being implemented and Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said that it is on schedule. In some areas, programmes are advanced.
Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS (PMTCT) is one of the programmes under the plan. The establishment of 32 operating centres was the target to be met by 2004.
“The fact is by the end of 2003, we would have a minimum of 20 functioning PMTCT sites, so we are making rapid progress in reaching our 32,” said the Health Minister.
The Ministry of Health is working towards having all hospitals equipped with PMTCT centres. St. Joseph Mercy Hospital has become a partner in the PMTCT programme, added Minister Ramsammy.
“It has an operating centre and we will be working with other private institutions, early in the New Year.”
Funds from the Global Fund are becoming a reality said the Health Minister. This organisation has given US$31M for the fight against HIV/AIDS and malaria.
Non-governmental organisations are also playing a very active role and according to Ramsammy, the NGOs are expanding rapidly.
“With the launching of the Behavioural Surveillance Survey (BSS) already underway we will see progress,” he said.
The aim of BSS is to establish a monitoring system that will track behavioural trend data for high risk and vulnerable target groups that influence the epidemic in Guyana. (Government Information Agency)