Strategic malaria interventions yield successful results

Mar 29, 2015 News

(From the Desk of the Vector Control Director, Dr Reyaud Rahman)
In 2014 we saw our efforts bear fruit. These efforts were characterised by the creation of new structures, the strengthening of existing structures and the disciplined work of our central and regional vector control workers.

Dr Reyaud Rahman

Moreover, we have seen a dramatic decrease of malaria cases throughout Guyana. So much better than previous years, and on track to be the lowest Guyana will see, even in the immediate future.
We have highlighted specific tasks which are seen as priority for the decrease of malaria cases even further. It is therefore necessary to strengthen surveillance, get communities to become more involved in vector control activities, use innovative tools available for faster diagnosis and educate the at-risk, as well as general population, on malaria control and prevention methods.
One intervention seen as necessary is to ensure cases are captured in a timely manner and ensure that to the stage of severe malaria. In this day and age, no one in Guyana should die from malaria. We are a country that has made significant strides in healthcare in Guyana, even though we still have some way to go; there is always room for improvement. We have ensured that facilities always have medications to treat malaria and there is no stock out of medication, we have ensured that there is the best quality of drugs available to treat malaria. After persons use the first line drug for P. falciparum malaria, they feel better after the second dose in most cases.
In order to capture these cases that do not present to a health centre, hospital, health hut or health facility, there is a need to set up strategic points for testing where most of the at-risk population would traverse (Ogle Airport etc.). This will ensure that persons that are potentially infected with malaria can access the services in a manner which is convenient and greeted by polite and courteous staff.
Discourteous staff and long waiting periods are seen as being among the main detractors for the public going to private institutions. It should be highlighted that the national system has the best means of making a diagnosis (Malaria Microscopy) and the treatment is of the highest quality in the country. For this reason the public is strongly urged to access the public system.
Region seven has had a major problem with malaria for several years now and the region as well as the central vector control services has been trying very hard to stabilize and control the cases. We feel at this point that we have in fact stabilized and controlled the cases and we see the need to push forward and drop these cases further. We have partnered with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and have come up with a solid plan to reach hard to reach places in the middle Mazaruni area.
We will be doing active case detection, distribution of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLIN’s), conducting Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) to specific localities/ teach IRS and distribute material to sensitize the affected population. We will also be supported by personnel from the GDF who will be trained to do various vector control specialities. This is a welcomed initiative and it must be highlighted that the administration of the GDF is committed to the health of our population. I believe collaborations and partnerships like this one will be very beneficial to people most vulnerable.
It is extremely difficult to get to middle Mazaruni, as this area is only accessible by air or water for some localities. For this reason the cost of taking LLIN’s, medication and supplies are very high, therefore it is difficult to take and supply this population on a regular basis. Regional workers, however, do their best to get medication and medical services to these localities, and do a very good job. It would however be a monumental task to take 15,000 LLIN’s to these localities. This is simply why the GDF is so important in this most needed operation. These interventions are expected to be replicated in all endemic malarious regions throughout Guyana.
This increase of activities and distribution of materials and supplies will ensure that the affected population is protected and further decrease our malaria burden throughout Guyana. Malaria is a major public health problem which is directly attributed to poverty. By decreasing and further eliminating this disease, we will directly contribute to the building of our nation and this will lead to a better quality of life for everyone.

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