Chronic diseases screening this year will cater for 27,000 persons

The government was able to screen over 25,000 people across Guyana last year for major non-
communicable chronic diseases, despite the COVID-19 Pandemic. This year, they reveal that
screening will continue with a target of 27,000 people.

Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, madethi disclosure when he presented budget 2022
Wednesday last. “We plan to continue and support strong, early screening, in 2022, we target
screening a further 27,000 persons,” Dr. Singh said. Dr Singh pointed out that the one-stop-shop
clinic for diabetic patients, a project started in 2021, will be completed this year.
He revealed that the clinic will see citizens benefitting from various services. “In the specific
area of diabetes, we have made significant progress towards the construction of a specialised
diabetic clinic at Lusignan, which will be completed this year and is intended to be a one-stop
shop for diabetic patients,” he said. The minister noted that once the clinic is operational, it will
provide specialist services in areas of eye screening, diabetic wound care and cardiovascular
screening.
Meanwhile, Dr. Singh stressed that government will also be pursuing a number of initiatives that
target adolescent health.  “Another initiative that will help to reduce unplanned pregnancy is the
expansion of the contraceptive programme which will benefit from an allocation of $154 million
in 2022,” he noted. The finance minister revealed that the government will pursue the “safe-
space” initiative in schools that will facilitate peer interaction and counselling, as well as partner
with local medical teams and community organisations to address comprehensive education
about the issue.
He argued that in support of adolescent health, $50M has also been budgeted for the
advancement of the “menstrual hygiene initiative” a project spearheaded by the First Lady, Mrs.
Arya Ali, which seeks to end period poverty in Guyana. The finance minister stressed that the
money allocated will allow for over 30,000 adolescent girls to benefit from sanitary items, in
2022.