Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony provided an end-of-year progress report, highlighting Guyana’s efforts to eliminate several infectious diseases, including filaria.
Guyana currently faces five of the 20 Neglected Tropical Diseases listed by the World Health Organization, namely Filaria, Leishmaniasis, Leprosy, Chagas, and Worms.
The ministry aims to eliminate these diseases by the year 2030.
Minister Anthony expressed optimism about eliminating Lymphatic filariasis within the next two years.
Mass interventions by the ministry have already led to the elimination of this disease in most of Guyana’s administrative regions.
The remaining cases are concentrated in regions 4 and 3, where focused efforts are underway to achieve elimination status by the end of the next year.
Regarding another infectious disease, Hepatitis C, Minister Anthony highlighted significant progress.
Guyana is the first country to roll out a program for the treatment of Hepatitis C.
The initial cost of Hep C treatment was around US$80,000 per patient, but through special arrangements with the Pan American Health Organization (PHAO), the ministry has been able to procure medications for less than US$200 per patient.
The program has successfully treated about 44 patients, with an additional 22 undergoing treatment.
In 2023, the ministry diagnosed and treated 30 cases of leprosy, providing necessary treatment for individuals who had contact with the affected patients.
Minister Anthony’s update reflects the ongoing efforts to combat infectious diseases and enhance public health in Guyana.