Georgetown : The Health Ministry’s Food and Drug Department facilitated an awareness session, targeting stakeholders at the National Library, where the discussions focused onrequirements for the importation of drugs, cosmetics, devices and food packaging, and sale regulations.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, during brief remarks today, said that this is part of a much larger sensitisation process, in engaging stakeholders, and highlighting some of the issues that involve people’s wellbeing.
Dr. Persaud explained that the Health Ministry’s “Health Vision 2020” strategy aims to have Guyanese among the healthiest people in this part of the world. However there are many challenges facing the nation, and lots of risks are emerging; hence the need for stakeholders’ support in this regard.
He further explained that health is not just the absence of illnesses, but rather a combination of a number of things, such as the physical environment, and the spiritual and mental wellbeing of people. “We don’t want to ever be in the position to have to take the measures to try to get people to do the right things; when it comes to health, we should all be convinced to do the right thing. It is almost a global village that we access and bring things to help enhance Guyanese and make them better people…we have to be very careful that we don’t provide anything that can cause harm, that can be dangerous to those whom we serve,” Persaud told the participants.
Persaud highlighted the dangerous effects of expired products and the harm they can cause to citizens.
He also mentioned those cosmetics that persons are using on their skin, noting that businesses should be more conscious of the items they are importing, that can cause harm to the body. “You can’t want to be among the best in the region and live as long as the people in the United States and Canada, and you are giving them things that are laced with all kinds of substance that can cause bad health,” he said
He said that while the Food and Drug Department will do its best, at setting down the standards, in ensuring that Guyanese be able to access the best products, stakeholders have an important part to play in this regard.
Dr. Persaud urged the stakeholders to be aware of fake brands and other substances that can cause harm. He urged that they partner with the ministry, to ensure the safety of consumers, while contributing to improving the standard of living of all Guyanese.
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