The Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony today attended a high-level Joint Stakeholder Consultation on Health and Wellbeing, hosted at the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) office in Georgetown. The consultation brought together key stakeholders from government, regional health authorities, hospitals, clinics, and United Nations agencies, including United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United National Population Fund (UNFPA), and United Nations Programme for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Woman (UN Women).
The event forms part of the United Nations’(UN) ongoing process to develop the new Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (MSDCF) for the English and Dutch speaking Caribbean islands, covering the period 2027–2031. This Framework aims to guide and strengthen collaboration between the UN and the Government of Guyana in advancing national priorities, with health and wellbeing expected to remain a central pillar.
Delivering remarks, Minister Anthony underscored the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery across the country through both infrastructure expansion and innovative health programs.
“Our work in health and wellbeing is about more than treating illness it’s about prevention, early detection, and creating a system that supports the long-term wellness of all Guyanese,” the Minister said.
He highlighted recent achievements, including the opening of six new regional hospitals, ongoing construction of eight more including paediatric and specialised facilities and the establishment of 25 new health centres over the last three years, with 10 additional currently under construction. Additionally, the Ministry is expanding health posts in underserved areas to increase access to primary care.
Minister Anthony also outlined the Ministry’s programmes in prevention and wellness, such as strengthened maternal and child health services, expanded immunisation coverage supported by UNICEF, and school health screenings for nearly 70,000 children in primary and nursery. Efforts are also underway to address chronic non-communicable diseases, nutrition, lifestyle factors, and mental health, alongside disease control and elimination programs for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Tuberculosis (TB), malaria, filaria, and other neglected infections.
“The engagement of national and international stakeholders in consultations like these allows us to align priorities, share lessons learned, and plan future interventions that are evidence-based and contextually relevant. Together, we can shape a healthier future for Guyana,” he said.
The Minister also highlighted the Government’s focus on developing human resources in health, including training programs for nurses, doctors, administrators, and technicians, supported through collaborations with PAHO and other partners.
The consultation provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss challenges, opportunities, and priorities in the health sector, ensuring that the upcoming UN Cooperation Framework reflects shared goals and strengthens collaboration in health and wellbeing across Guyana.
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