The Guyana team in a meeting with the Barbados National NCD Commission commissioners: David Neilands, Prof. Alafia Samuels and Gabby ‘Orlando’ Scott
In June 2018, with the support of the Guyana PAHO Country Office, the HCC hosted members of the Guyana National NCD Commission for a 2 day Study Tour aimed at learning more about the experiences of the Barbados National NCD Commission. The Guyana team consisted of: Dr. Shamdeo Persaud (CMO Ministry of Health Guyana), Dr. Kavita Singh (NCD focal point Guyana MOH); Delicia Haynes; and Dr. Karen Roberts (Specialist, Non-Communicable Diseases and Family Health, PAHO).
This is part of HCC’s larger effort to support the strengthening of the multisectoral response to NCDs in the region through support to these multisectoral platforms mandated through the 2007 Port of Spain Declaration. Both the St. Lucia and the Grenada NCD Commissions have undertaken similar exchanges to visit the Barbados National NCD Commission which has been chaired by Sir Trevor Hassell since its formation in 2007, and in this time has held 100+ meetings and enjoyed uninterrupted tenure.
The Guyana team in a meeting with Barbados Ministry of Health officials and also members of the Barbados National NCD Commission: Dr. Arthur Phillips and Denise Carter Taylor
During the study tour visit to Barbados the team from the Guyana met with senior professional and technical staff of the Barbados Ministry of health, Dr. Arthur Philips (Senior Medical Officer of Health responsible for NCDs); Ms. Denise Carter-Taylor (Senior Health Promotion Officer); and with Sir Trevor Hassell, Orlando ‘Gabby’ Scott (Barbados Workers Union; David Neilands (Private Sector); and Prof. Alafia Samuels (Academia/ George Alleyne Chronic Disease Research Centre) who have been members of the Barbados National NCD commission for many years.
The Guyana study team at the HCC offices. from left to right Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, Maisha Hutton, Dr. Karen Roberts, Dr. Kavita Singh, Delicia Haynes and Sir Trevor Hassell
The next step is a visit to Guyana to work directly with the Guyana NNCDC to assist in developing their framework for action. A similar activity was successfully undertaken in Grenada earlier this year.