-Anthony says people have to be trained
The Ministry of Health yesterday signed a service delivery agreement with the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) to support the implementation of the Guyana One Health Project.
According to a ministry release, approximately US$1.78 million will finance activities under the agreement. The funding is being provided through a World Bank Pandemic Fund grant and an International Development Association credit to the Government of Guyana.
The project is intended to strengthen Guyana’s ability to prevent, detect and respond to public health threats through upgrades to laboratory systems, expanded disease surveillance, improved emergency preparedness and closer coordination among the human, animal and environmental health sectors.
It is also expected to strengthen the country’s core capacities under the International Health Regulations and improve its ability to respond to zoonotic and emerging diseases.
Under the agreement, PAHO/WHO will collaborate with the ministry on laboratory strengthening, disease surveillance, emergency response, workforce training and multisectoral One Health coordination.
Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony said human-resource development would be a critical part of the project, since the country does not currently have all the personnel required to implement the planned work.
“We will train and hire new people under this project because, to achieve what we intend to do, we currently do not have all the human resources that are required,” Anthony was quoted as saying.
“This project will provide us with the opportunity to recruit and build that capacity,” he added.
While Guyana has made progress in strengthening its public health system, Anthony said, the project is intended to transform existing systems and improve the country’s resilience.
“This technical component that we will be working on with PAHO is extremely important, and I hope that the staff and all of our partner agencies will take this very seriously,” he said.
The signing was also attended by World Bank Country Office representative Hubert Forrester; PAHO/WHO Representative in Guyana Dr Kim Eva Dickson; and technical lead for the Guyana One Health Project Dr Anand Persaud.
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