Guyana, Brazil hold simultaneous launch of “D” Day Joint Multi-Vaccination Campaign

Guyana: The Ministries of Health, Guyana and Brazil, on Saturday launched the “D” Day of the Joint Multi-Vaccination Campaign in the municipality of Bonfim, in the state of Roraima, Brazil.

This campaign is aimed at strengthening vaccination policies in national and international border regions, thereby improving vaccination coverage and offering services to the general population regardless of a person’s nationality.

The “D” Day campaign, which commenced on November 02 and concluded on November 12, targets people of all ages residing in the town of Lethem and Bonfim. The national immunisation calendar will be offered during the campaign, with the Human Papilloma Vaccine (HPV) now being extended to adult men and women.

During her brief remarks, Dr Oneka Scott, Maternal Child Health Officer at the Ministry of Health, said the Guyana and Brazil collaboration on vaccination dates back to 2002, and both countries’ primary focus has always been one aimed at keeping their borders free from vaccine-preventable diseases.

“This year’s Vaccination Week in the Americas was yet another venture, where our two countries demonstrated continued solidarity for this common cause when we united to venerate the launch of a special week of activities with a focus on giving life”, she stated.

In concluding her remarks, she thanked the healthcare workers for their continued support and commitment towards all vaccination efforts led by both countries.

Meanwhile, during his feature address, the Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health, Dr Narine Singh, boasted about Guyana’s continued success in its expanded immunisation programme while pledging pledged the Ministry’s full support in assisting Brazil to increase their vaccination rates.

“The vaccination programme in Guyana is one of our flagship programmes, one that has been attaining over 90% in all antigens, especially in the under-five age group”, he said. He further thanked the Brazilian health authorities for their continued collaboration with the Ministry of Health over the years, especially during COVID-19, for their assistance in supplying us with personal protective equipment.

Attending the cross-border event at Fazenda Buritizal Grosso were several dignitaries from both countries, including Brian Allicock, Regional Chairman of Region Nine; Dr Ertenisa Hamilton, Director of Family and Primary Health Care Services; Micheal Gouveia, Hinterland Coordinator; Malkia Idal, Principal Assistant Secretary (Finance); Mr Rodger King, Consul General of Guyana in Boa Vista, Roraima; Dr Cedel Mc Watt, Regional Health Officer of Region Nine; Cecilia Smith Lorezom Basso- Representative, Roraima State Secretariat, Brazil; Fernanda Manara- Technical Consultant of Foreign Affairs; Valdirene Oliveira Cruz, Coordinator of Health Regulatory Surveillance of the State of Roraima; Mario Nicacio, Vice- Mayor, Bonfim, Brazil and Jose Vieira Filho- Director of the Epidemiological Surveillance Department of the State of Roraima, Brazil.