Guyana: Ministry of Health signs One Health Agenda Contract

Guyana: The Ministry of Health, the World Bank and the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), on October 17, 2022, signed a One Health agenda contract geared at addressing health threats in the animal, human and environment interface. This initiative will see the nation’s food being harmonised and advanced to achieve the highest international food standards.

According to Dr Leslie Ramsammy, the Advisor to the Health Minister, the Ministry has been working with the World Bank and FAO to strengthen its surveillance and laboratory systems in Guyana, which includes non-clinical components to their systems. He further stated that the Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) needs to be updated, and as such, the World Bank and FAO collaborated to produce a modern contemporary version of the PVS that will soon benefit Guyana.

During the signing at his Brickdam office, Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, expressed his gratitude towards the World Bank and FAO for their continued support in the Health sector. He said that with the new version of the PVS, the Ministry be better prepared for future pandemics and will have the ability to establish an early warning system. This system, he added, will be able to easily detect emerging infections.

Meanwhile, Ms Julian Smith, FAO representative, express how happy she is to partner with the Ministry of Health and Guyana. She highlighted that the process of looking at the One Health Agenda is going to be important to the future of the country and the future food systems. She further stated that the FAO is looking forward to having the integration of the agenda implemented and working on the rest of one health assessment and integrated management process.