Brazil and PAHO/WHO have over the years given support to the public health sector. However, support was recently recommitted in this regard.
In fact support from Brazil could be easily forthcoming with a phone call, Brazilian Ambassador, Mr. Lineu Pupo de Paula announced. “Just call me,” de Paula told Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence during a courtesy call and handing-over ceremony at her Brickdam, Georgetown office.
Brazilian Ambassador, Mr. Lineu Pupo de Paula [left], makes a donation to Minister Volda Lawrence in the presence of PAHO/WHO’s Dr. William Adu-Krow.
The Brazilian Ambassador has donated drugs to help counteract leishmaniasis, a parasitic diseases found in tropical and sub-tropical countries and southern Europe. Leishmaniasis is spread by the bite of infected sand flies resulting in skin sores or affects a victim’s spleen, liver or bone marrow. Some people with the disease show no symptoms while others develop skin sores which start out as bumps or lumps and end up as ulcers which may be covered by scab or crust. The sores may also be painless or painful.
Meanwhile, PAHO/WHO officials also announced support for several sub-sectors of the Guyana’s Public Health system according to a message relayed from Dr Carissa Etienne, PAHO Director, who visited Guyana earlier this year.
“We have instructions to help you,” said Mr. Marcos Espinal, Director, Department of Communicable Diseases and Health Analysis and Mr. Marcelo D’Agostino, Senior Advisor, Knowledge Management Health Information and Analysis Unit who also paid a courtesy call to Lawrence Tuesday.
Espinal and D’Agostino in the presence of PAHO/WHO Representative here, Dr. William Adu-Krow, said Guyana can expect technical and other support for its communicable diseases and vector control programmes; backing for its neglected diseases efforts and firm backing for its Health Information Systems.