International Day for Persons with Disabilities Message from Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Health

On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Guyana joins the global community in reflecting on this year’s theme: “Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive, Accessible, and Sustainable Future.” This theme reminds us that persons with disabilities are not merely recipients of services, they are leaders, innovators, and partners who contribute meaningfully to our nation’s development every day.

Over the past five years, Guyana has made steady progress in ensuring that persons with disabilities are fully included in all aspects of national life. We have strengthened our legal framework, expanded services, and created new opportunities. Most importantly, we have listened to those who live these experiences and understand their needs best. Today, we are proud that rehabilitation and audiology services are decentralised and accessible throughout health facilities across the country.

The Ministry of Health has made significant strides in advancing the rights and wellbeing of persons with disabilities. Key achievements include:

• Completion of the National Commission on Disability Household Survey:
  This comprehensive survey, recently concluded, will provide essential data to support evidence-based decision-making and effective policy development.
• Provision of Free Wheelchairs, Prostheses, and Hearing Aids:
  More than 6,000 individuals have received these critical devices, enabling greater independence and improving overall quality of life.
• Launch of the Barrier-Free Design Manual:
  This week, we will introduce this important resource outlining best practices for developing accessible public buildings, spaces, and facilities, a major step toward a barrier-free Guyana.
• Improved Access to Health Services:
  Specialised rehabilitation programmes and assistive technologies are now more widely available, ensuring personalised and inclusive healthcare for persons with disabilities.
• Skills Training for Young Adults with Disabilities:
  Enhanced training opportunities in beauty care, sustainable agriculture, information technology, and other fields are helping equip young persons with disabilities with valuable skills for employment and independence.

These accomplishments reflect our commitment to the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2010, and our vision for a more inclusive nation.

A major priority remains the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3—Good Health and Well-being by 2030. We recognise that if persons with disabilities are left behind, we cannot truly achieve health for all. Persons with disabilities form an essential pillar of a resilient society. As such, we must intensify awareness efforts, invest in their empowerment, and ensure their inclusion in community-level planning and programmes aimed at improving health and wellbeing.

I urge all Guyanese to remember that inclusion is not an act of charity; it is a national responsibility. Let us continue to dismantle physical, social, and attitudinal barriers that hinder full participation. Let us listen more, engage more, and ensure that every individual has the opportunity to contribute to Guyana’s future.

On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, let us renew our commitment to building an inclusive, accessible, and sustainable Guyana, one where the leadership of persons with disabilities is not only acknowledged but celebrated.

Disability is not a limitation; it is a unique strength that enriches our society.