Georgetown : The Ministry of Health launched its six – year disability and rehabilitation strategy with the aim of bettering the lives of people living with disabilities in Guyana.
The plan was launched at the Pegasus Hotel under the theme: ‘Towards improved health partnerships and inclusiveness for all persons with disabilities.’
Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran said that along with mental health, disability is another health area that has been placed on the back burner in Guyana. However, he added that the ministry has been working vigorously for quite a number of years to ensure these two areas become priority. “We are now seeing some degree of progress in these two areas.”
The amount of money allocated in the national budget towards these two areas has been increasing annually, the minister said. At present a new facility has been established at the Mahaicony Hospital to care for disabled persons.
“We approach people with disabilities as a social problem. Several ministries are on board and we are working together for this cause,” Minister Ramsaran said.
Dr. William Adu-Krow, World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative, said approximately one billion people worldwide suffer from some degree of disability and they do not receive the required help.
He added that people with disability are four times more likely to be treated badly. The strategic action plan adopted by the World Health Assembly, Dr. Adu-Krow said will provide a major boost to WHO and other closely related organisations, towards the efforts to improve the quality of lives for persons living with disabilities across the world.
The plan will also remove barriers and increase access to care for persons with disabilities. The plan is expected to strengthen community based rehabilitation, rehabilitation assistive technology, assistance and support services among others.Adu-Krow said very few (25%) children living with disabilities have access to education and only 5% finish primary school. Some 3% of newborns have impairments that must be detected and treated as they can lead to lifelong disability complications.
“PAHO Guyana is pleased to participate in this official launch of the national strategy in the rehabilitative services, which is as a result of many months of work. This strategy takes in consideration the global agenda for health and disability, allowing partnership at all levels, whether through Government or non-Governmental agencies. This strategy was built on the principles and values of health vision 20/20,” Dr. Adu-Krow explained.
Director of Rehabilitation Services, Debita Harripersaud in presenting the National Rehabilitation Services Strategic Plan, relating to a 2002 survey, said that at that time 6.4% of Guyanese were living with disabilities.
It was projected by the 2002 survey that by 2014, Guyana would have just over 50,000 persons of its population, disabled. However, Harripersaud said at the time the 2002 survey was done, a number of situations (institutionalised persons and persons with temporary disabilities) were not taken into consideration and as such, it is calculated that approximately 200,000 persons are at present living with a disability in Guyana.
Most persons who are affected by disabilities mainly fall into the category of people, who are uneducated, impoverished elderly and unemployed. She said the prevalence of disability is growing nationally, regionally and globally mainly because of motor vehicle accidents, mental health, chronic health conditions and violence. This calls for improved care and accessibility to care for persons who are disabled, Harripersaud said.
The national health vision strives to ensure that all Guyanese are among the healthiest in the Americas and Caribbean by 20/20. The objectives of this vision are to put measures in place to improve the mental, physical and social well-being of all Guyanese. Further, it is stated that disability and rehabilitation services will deliver quality, effective and responsive services to people with disabilities, enabling them to participate as equal and productive citizens in equally supportive communities.
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