Intensive deworming campaign to commence in Region Five

Oct 12, 2008 News

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In an effort to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) and other neglected diseases, the Ministry of Health is presently engaged in a collaborative exercise for mass treatment, particularly in children over two years and all adults except pregnant women.
A statement from the ministry stated that direct aim is being taken at this time against LF and other forms of worm infestation, because of the enormous opportunity with which the DEC-salt campaign has provided Guyana.
The mass treatment program for the reduction and elimination of LF and other worms has started, and will begin to roll out in Region Five.
According to the statement, the ministry and its partners expect the mass treatment to be completed in Region Five by the first week of November.
It is expected that the program will then be extended to at least one other region before the end of 2008.
All the other regions will be completed before the end of June 2009, according to the Health Ministry.
A mapping exercise was completed for Region Five with the help of the Bureau of Statistics, and the region was divided into nine geographical areas, where the number of homes and families was determined.
Consultation exercises with various stakeholders are ongoing, and IEC materials have already been developed.
A massive information strategy has also been established.
The statement noted that the exercise is intended to explain the objective of the program to all families, and how the de-worming exercise will have a major positive impact on people’s health and productivity and children’s well-being.
Information on the medicines to be taken and actions that families must take to ensure sustainable impact of the mass treatment exercise will also be disseminated.
The mass treatment will include having children and other vulnerable members of families take one albendazole and DEC tablet.
During the house-to-house visitation and distribution of anti-worming medication, volunteers will seek to assist persons with associated health issues, such as lymphoedema and hydrocele, by referring them to special clinics at Mahaicony, Fort Wellington, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and the New Amsterdam Hospital for immediate attention.
The statement noted that the program is a follow-up to the DEC-salt strategy which has resulted in significant reduction of new LF incidences over the last few years.
It was stated that the DEC- salt campaign has achieved its intended result in reducing the microfilariasis reservoir pool, and the Ministry of Health has decided that the time has come for a mopping-up exercise to ensure that Guyana reaches the elimination stage for LF by the Ministry of Health’s target date of 2010.
In 2001, a mapping exercise was completed for the distribution of LF.
It was found that there was a prevalence of about 9.3%, ranging from 1 to 37% in various communities. The highest rates were seen in urban and coastal rural areas. “Our routine management data has shown between 24.6 to 61.8 % reduction since the introduction of DEC salt, with an almost 88% reduction is hydrocele diagnosis,” The release stated.
The program will run in conjunction with the Ministry of Health’s vector control unit, as this unit will be responsible for conducting vector control programs in the specific regions simultaneously with the de-worming program.
“Thus, we expect vector control programs, including fogging exercises in Region Five throughout November. While the Ministry of Health will be responsible for conducting this phase of vector control activities in this area, we expect to build capacity for regular vector control activities in the future. The Ministry of Health will work with the relevant persons in this area to assist in building its vector control capacity by providing some of the equipment and with all its training needs,” the statement noted.
It was also stated that the ministry will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to ensure its commitment and compliance with the requirements of the vector control program.
“As we roll out the program in other regions of the country, similar arrangements will also be made. The Ministry of Health will keep the population, particularly in Region Five, updated as the program is rolled out. This is an exciting initiative, and we urge everyone to support us for a successful program.”
The collaborating partners in the program include other Government ministries, the private sector, faith-based and other civil society organizations, as well as international partners.
These include PAHO/WHO, UNICEF, USAID and the US-CDC. Local partners include the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs), Neighborhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), the Seventh Day Adventist organisation (which has a global de-worming program), the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana, the Council of Churches, the Dharmic Sabha, the IRO and the Bahai’s.

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