Courtesy Call to the Hon. Moses V. Nagamootoo, Prime Minister and First Vice-President of Guyana. (L to R: Dr. Karen Roberts, Maisha Hutton, Executive Director HCC, Hon. Volda Lawrence, Minister of Public Health, Guyana, Hon. Moses V. Nagamootoo, Prime Minister and First Vice-President of Guyana, Sir Trevor Hassell, President HCC, Dr. William Adu Krow, PAHO WHO Representative and Dr. Kavita Singh)
June 26-27, 2018, political leaders in Guyana, including Hon. Moses V. Nagamootoo, Prime Minister and First Vice-President; Hon Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence; and Minister in the Ministry of Public Health, Hon. Dr. Karen Cummings – have galvanised around the Guyana Presidential NCD Commission, committing their full support to its success. Guyana demonstrated significant commitment to a multlisectoral NCD response by establishing the only Presidential National NCD Commission (NNCDC) in the Caribbean.
Courtesy Call to Hon. Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence. (L to R: Dr. Karen Roberts, Dr. Kavita Singh, Maisha Hutton, Executive Director HCC, Sir Trevor Hassell, President HCC, Hon. Volda Lawrence, Minister of Public Health, Guyana and Dr. William Adu Krow, PAHO WHO Representative)
The Commission was initially established in 2014 and re-established in 2017 after a change of administration. The PAHO Guyana office is working with the Ministry of Public Health to provide technical assistance and capacity building to the NNCDC. Following on last week’s Study Tour to Barbados, the HCC Team consisting of Sir Trevor Hassell and Maisha Hutton spent two fruitful days in a series of meetings with the Prime Minister (acting in the President’s absence), the Minister of Public Health, the Minister in the Ministry of Public Health, the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, NCD Focal Point, Dr. Kavita Singh and the Commissioners.
Courtesy Call to Hon. Minister in the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Karen Cummings. (L to R: Dr. William Adu Krow, PAHO WHO Representative, Maisha Hutton, Executive Director HCC, Sir Trevor Hassell, President HCC and Hon. Dr. Karen Cummings, Minister in the Ministry of Public Health, Guyana)
The final day was spent deliberating and discussing the role, functions and priority actions for the NNCDC over the next 2 years. Hon. Volda Lawrence, Hon Dr. Karen Cummings and Dr. Adu Krow remarked that the experience was valuable for the growth and strengthening of the Commission and thanked the HCC for their efforts. This is part of HCC’s ongoing commitment to the multisectoral response to NCDs in the region. To learn more about CARICOM NNCDCs or equivalents, please visit our NNCDC portal.
Commissioners Capacity Building Workshop
Related Media:
Starbroek News: Guyana joins Caribbean battle against obesity, non-communicable diseases