Guyana: Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony attends Continuing Medical Education Lecture

Georgetown, Guyana: Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony attended a Continuing Medical Education (CME) Lecture on Mental Health Awareness for Health Care Professionals, at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, located on the East Coast of Demerara, on July 24, 2023.

According to the update by the Ministry, this CME lecture is part of the Safeguarding the Human Dignity and Rights of Populations At-Risk for Ill-Mental Health Project for vulnerable communities across Guyana, which aims to strengthen the availability and capacity of mental health services at the community and school levels to address suicide in Guyana.

Furthermore, it was highlighted the Canadian Government is funding this project through Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and the International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF) and is expected to be done within a 5-year period from January 2022 – March 2026.

The CME lecture was attended by the Canadian High Commission, Kevin Mark Berman; Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IDRF, Mahmood Qasim and a Representative from the Guyana Medical Council, Dr Melissa McDonald.

Earlier, the Ministry of Health of Guyana also informed about the official opening of the WHO’s International Health Regulations Voluntary External Evaluation (IHR VEE) – an international assessment of IHR capacities in Guyana.

The assessment is being conducted in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) using the State Party Self Assessment Annual Report (SPAR) in Guyana, according to the update.

Additionally, the Ministry of Health shared by glimpse of Dr Frank Anthony, Minister of Health, meeting with the expert team from the Pan American Health Organisation/ World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) who were in Guyana to conduct the Voluntary External Evaluation of the International Health Regulation (IHR) Core Capacities.