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PAHO helping to build capacity of National Reference Lab
While the lack of trained professionals has limited the use of the Health Ministry’s National Reference Laboratory, moves are apace to ensure that an increased number of lab tests will be conducted at the Thomas and New Market Streets, Georgetown facility.
Dr William Adu-Krow
And the realisation of this ambitious goal has already seen the local health sector gaining support from the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO). This disclosure was made by PAHO’s Resident Representative, Dr. William Adu-Krow.
During a media workshop held at Cara Lodge earlier this week, Dr. Adu-Krow disclosed that PAHO is prepared to lend its support towards the training of the technical laboratory personnel.
The limitation of the lab was especially evident when local health authorities recently found signs of mercury poisoning in some pregnant women. Guyana was therefore dependent on the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in Trinidad since the local laboratory currently does not have the capabilities to do so.
“I am telling you so that you are also aware that some of our rivers have been poisoned by the things that we throw into the rivers and around us, to the extent, that we have women and children actually beginning to show signs of mercury poisoning,” Dr. Adu-Krow asserted.
Mercury poisoning is a type of metal poisoning and a medical condition caused by exposure to mercury or its compounds. Among the symptoms of mercury poisoning are sensory impairment (including vision, hearing and speech), disturbed sensation and a lack of coordination. Reports are that the type and degree of symptoms exhibited depend upon the individual toxin, the dose, and the method and duration of exposure.
He however, alluded to his belief that with training on the cards, Guyana will be able to test for mercury and even the Chikungunya virus, which was first detected here in May.
Speaking to Guyana’s current inability to test for the virus, Dr. Adu-Krow said that “we have had cases of Chikungunya virus and the tests are always done in Trinidad.” However, following consultations with Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, moves have been made to identify two technical workers of the laboratory to be trained to conduct the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).
PCR is a biochemical technology that is used to diagnose the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), various viral infections and certain fungi. In fact, according to PAHO HIV Adviser, Dr. Rosalinda Hernandez, already support from PAHO has helped the laboratory to improve its capabilities to perform diagnosis for HIV. And according to her, moves are apace to further advance the laboratory’s testing abilities.
With plans to facilitate additional training for staffers, Dr. Adu-Krow noted that “we should be able to do everything (tests) here…so gradually I think the capacity of the lab is being built.”
National Reference Laboratory
The doors of the lab were first opened in July 2008 as a Centre of Excellence intended to improve Guyana’s capacity in the area of clinical laboratory testing and specialised reference testing. The laboratory is outfitted with a range of testing machines, some of which are not being utilised due to the lack of skilled personnel.
According to Ms. Melanie Thomas, Coordinator of the PAHO/Canadian Funding Project, which is set to come to an end next week, funding from the project helped to facilitate servicing of the laboratory equipment. Thomas said that experts were brought in from Trinidad and Puerto Rico for the purpose of servicing the local lab’s equipment and provision was also made for the procurement of vials for testing as well.
She disclosed too, that training was also catered to under this project, whereby staffers were trained to test for Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI).
Moreover, Thomas noted that “in addition to critical training of staff we also looked at the equipment,” all of which are aimed at achieving the goal of improving the capabilities of the local laboratory.
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