By Tracy Romalho
February 20, 2025
The Ministry of Health is expanding its health surveillance efforts to include telemedicine, environmental health, and animal health as part of its “One Health” approach.
This new initiative, announced by Minister Dr. Frank Anthony, aims to strengthen Guyana’s readiness for potential future pandemics and outbreaks.
Dr. Anthony emphasized the importance of tracking the interaction between human, animal, and environmental health.
He noted that future pandemics could result from viruses jumping from animals to humans, and it is crucial to have systems in place to detect such changes early.
The Ministry’s National Public Reference Laboratory, now a Level 3 facility, has made significant advancements in surveillance capabilities.
This includes enhanced detection of viruses like influenza, as well as emerging viral infections.
Dr. Anthony highlighted the importance of these improvements, which help clinicians respond more effectively to new diseases.
This proactive approach is critical to improving Guyana’s preparedness and ensuring that the country is better equipped to handle future health crises.