Press Releases

The Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Social Services today, met with Dr. Carissa Etienne, Director of the Pan American Health Organisation and Regional Director of the World Health Organisation  and her team to discuss the issue of tobacco control, communicable diseases, and universal health among others. The meeting was held in Committie Room 1 at the Public Buildings, Brickdam Georgetown.

Members of the Committee that were present included: Chairperson Hon. Dr.VindhyaVasini Persaud, M.P., Minister within the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Karen Cummings, M.P., Hon. Valerie Garrido-Lowe, M.P., Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs, Hon Dr. Karen Cummings, M.P.,  Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Hon. Valarie Patterson, M.P., Minister within the Ministry of Communities with Responsibility for Housing, Hon. Alister S. Charlie, M.P., Mrs. Indranie Chandarpal, M.P. and Hon. Vishwa D.B Mahadeo, M.P.

Together they discussed ways in which health and other sectors can work together to improve the health of  Guyanese citizens.

Dr. Etienne tackled health issues with major concern to chronic diseases and how to foster multi-sectoral approaches in optimizing healthcare delivery and access in Guyana. She mentioned that about 70% of the population dies from heart disease, cancer and hypertension to name a few. She also said that the factors that contribute to these chronic illnesses include: tobacco use, alcohol use, unhealthy foods and physical inactivity.

Hon. Valarie Patterson, M.P., Minister within the Ministry of Communities with responsibility for Housing alluded to the fact that in order for us as a nation to thrive towards a healthy living, change has to start at the level of Government and people of influence in society.

Dr. Etienne is a Dominican public health expert, with a degree in Medicine and Surgery from the University of the West Indies. She also attained a master’s degree in Community Health and an honorary diploma in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.