Guyana’s Ministry of Health today received a quantity of testing equipment and other medical materials as part of a consultancy facilitation between Mount Sinai Health Systems and the Hess Cooperation. The equipment will go towards the Comprehensive Child and Youth Health Programme (CYHP).
Receiving the items at the Ministry of Health’s Brickdam Headquarters, were the Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony and the Director of Primary Health Care, Dr Ertensia Hamilton.
The CYHP, which is slated for rollout in the coming weeks, will facilitate oral health, hearing and vision screening for children and adolescents in schools. Intended to improve the health of school children ages 5-17, the Ministry of Health has collaborated with the Ministry of Education to launch this initiative among children entering the nursery level.
During his brief remarks, Dr Anthony said that a comprehensive programme will be rolled out at the nursery level and later expanded to primary and secondary levels.
“We have established a set of measures to be implemented at the nursery level which will include visual, hearing, dental and physical check-ups to address any conditions and prevent long-term issues”, Minister Anthony said.
He further disclosed that the Ministry aims to screen at least 27,000 nursery-level children.
Minister Anthony extended appreciation to Mount Sinai Health Systems and Hess for the equipment which he said will help the staff to commence screening effectively in all Regions.
Meanwhile, Mount Sinai Country Director, Josuè Alcàntara, said that both organisations are pleased to support the Ministry of Health for the needed screening in schools across Guyana.
Also present at today’s handing over ceremony was, Dr Niccollette Tamayo-Jimenez, Mount Sinai Programme Manager, Guyana Country Office.
(Source: Ministry of Health – Guyana)