Last Updated on Sunday, 27 April 2025, 20:52 by Writer
Almost all eligible persons in Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo) have taken the vaccine that protects against the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause cervical cancer, Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony said Sunday.
“I was just in Region Nine a day ago (Saturday) and I was talking to the people there and I was pleasantly surprised that, while the whole country we are at 53 percent on average, they are already at 92 percent for boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 15 so that’s the WHO (World Health Organisation),” he said.
Dr Anthony also issued a charge to the Rotaract Club of the University of Guyana (RCUG) to assist with convincing Guyanese to take the HPV vaccine as part of an overall national strategy to eliminate cervical cancer that claims the lives of an estimated 200 women annually.
He said that in addition to assisting the Health Ministry with getting the public to take advantage of the health vouchers for eye tests and spectacles, and tests for prostate cancer and several other non-communicable diseases, the RCUG should encourage youths to take the HPV vaccine.
“We want you to be ambassadors for us in this fight to prevent cervical cancer and vaccination is one of those ways,” he said.
With cervical cancer being the second most prevalent but preventable cancer among women, the health minister said if the HPV vaccination rate reaches more than 90 percent for several years, “then we would be on the journey of eliminating cervical cancer from Guyana.”
Dr Anthony restated that up to three years ago, Guyana had recorded 17 percent coverage against HPV vaccines but last year that figure bumped up to 53 percent.
The countrywide target, he said, is 90 percent.
Nationally, he said the health ministry tested 12,000 women, allowing Guyanese authorities to find out that the country has 36 of the 38 cancer-causing strains of HPV.
There are 200 different HPV strains.
Guyana has been using an HPV quadrivalent vaccine to protect against four strains, but the health minister said plans were advanced to import Merck-branded nonavalent vaccines that protect against nine strains of the virus.
“This is now going to be a superior vaccine that we will be using in the country so we want all of you to be ambassadors,” he said.
The UG Rotaract Club and the Ministry of Health launched Project HealthBridge, which is dedicated to improving healthcare accessibility by offering free essential diagnostic testing through government-issued health care vouchers.
The theme of the initiative is “Healthbridge: Connecting People to Care” and is also being supported by a number of private healthcare entities.
RCUG President, Jemima Stephenson said Project HealthBridge, which aims to facilitate government’s free medical consultations and diagnostic testing, the project being powered by government’s Universal Health Care Voucher system, aims to reach more than 1,000 persons in eight communities.
“This initiative aligns beautifully with Rotary International’s area of focus on disease prevention and treatment,” she said.
Healthcare voucher distribution and outreach activities will take place in key communities across the country, including Georgetown, Pouderoyen, Yarrowkabra, Bartica, Santa Mission, Belvedere, Charity, and Canje.
Community members interested in accessing these free diagnostic services can register for a healthcare voucher through the official form RCUG Healthbridge Initiative Community Registration.
Project Lead and President-Elect of RCUG, Vishal Roopnarine said each outreach would be carefully measured for impact.
He said to ensure accountability and success, the club would be measuring participation rates based on targeted reach and actual number of persons who show up, results delivery rates, and tracking patients who seek further care after receiving results.
“We have set ambitious targets: an 80 percent participation rate, 100 results delivery rate and 80 percent follow-up rate across all outreaches. These indicators will guide our improvements and celebrate our successes,” he said.
An RCUG statement says the success of Project HealthBridge is out of a collaboration between RCUG and a network of dedicated partners including the Ministry of Health, Eureka Medical Laboratories, Executive Medical Clinic, Da Silva’s Optical, National Blood Transfusion Service, Recover Guyana, Sankar’s Autoworks, and Seva Marketing Inc.
The Rotaract Club of the University of Guyana is a university-based service organization for young adults 18 years and older, committed to creating sustainable solutions for community and global challenges.
Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Georgetown, RCUG is part of Rotary District 7030, which includes 46 active Rotaract clubs across 16 Caribbean territories, and is one of six Rotaract clubs in Guyana.
As part of a global network of over 10,000 clubs in 184 countries, Rotaract empowers its 250,000+ members to take action through impactful service projects, leadership development, and international collaboration.
Members engage in diverse activities ranging from community outreach and professional growth initiatives to global service efforts that promote peace.
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