By Delicia Janneire
The Comprehensive Child and Youth Health Programme (CYHP), initiated in August 2023, has made substantial strides toward its objective of screening at least 27,000 nursery school children.
Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony provided an update, revealing that nearly 20,000 children have been screened so far.
The CYHP aims to identify and address various health issues early on, ensuring better overall health outcomes for Guyana’s youth.
Dr. Anthony noted that about 2,000 of the screened children were found to have various health issues, ranging from vision and hearing impairments to dental problems.
The school health programme includes oral health, hearing, and vision screenings for children and adolescents.
Dr. Anthony emphasized the importance of parental cooperation for the success of the programme, as follow-up treatments often require parents to bring their children to health centers or hospitals.
To ensure the programme’s sustainability, funds have been allocated in the 2024 Budget to provide free treatment for any health issues identified during screenings.
The CYHP is a collaborative effort between the Ministries of Health and Education, with development support from Mount Sinai.