The Ministry of Health is seeking to reduce the mortality rate and the number of cases of malaria in Guyana by 2025, in keeping with the 2030 target of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
WHO aims to reduce malaria cases and mortality rate by at least 90 per cent; eliminate malaria in at least 35 countries and prevent a resurgence of malaria in all malaria-free countries.
Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, speaking at an event held in observance of Malaria Day in the Americas on Friday, said the government has strongly embraced WHO’s targets.
Malaria is endemic in Regions One, Seven, Eight, Nine, and in some parts of 10, “But we believe by adopting a strong strategy where we can be more in the community, that we will be able to change this endemic nature of malaria in these regions,” the health minister relayed.
The health ministry has collaborated with Harvard University to train laboratory personnel to detect whether the parasite responsible for infecting a person with malaria has become resistant to medication.
Breakthrough Action Guyana, an international organisation funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has been working to ensure infected persons properly take their medication.
Minister Anthony said there is a need for an analysis to see whether the compliance rate has improved. The minister also said the ministry must be able to respond swiftly to emerging cases, and noted that with traditional and new effective ways, the population of mosquitoes can be reduced.
