| Although Guyana’s response to the H1N1 virus has been very comprehensive,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, the local health sector is yet to receive a shipment of vaccine capable of combating the novel flu-like virus which has had a global reach.However, in recognition of the crucial need for the vaccine,Nike Air Vapor Max Flyknit Women, the Ministry of Health will shortly be endowed with a quantity of vaccines, compliments of the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO).Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, said yesterday, that about 75,Cheap Jerseys,000 doses of the vaccine are likely to be available to the health sector shortly.He said that shipping arrangements have already been made in this regard.He however, confessed that the endowment will only satisfy part of the local requirement. “We have had a vaccination plan…but our plan never catered for the vaccination of every citizen. It was something beyond our financial capacity at this time so we had identified a number of priority components which included segments of our population.”Through the identification process, the Minister said that about 160,Wholesale NBA Jerseys China,000 persons will become eligible to receive the H1N1 vaccine.Among the identified population,Wholesale Football Jerseys, Dr Ramsammy disclosed there will be approximately 90,000 to 100,000 children under five years old.Additionally, about 40,000 to 50,000 persons living with other conditions, for which co-morbidity with the H1N1 virus may prove to be very serious and even fatal, are likely to be a part of the first bout of vaccination.The latter group, which represents persons with certain chronic conditions, was identified as part of the Ministry’s observance of other countries’ experiences.In the meantime,Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys, the Minister disclosed that his Ministry is currently locked in negotiations with various entities, particularly Central Government, in order to ensure that the ability to have the target population vaccinated becomes a reality.But even before the plans to acquire the H1N1vaccine were finalised, Guyana was one of the fortunate countries that was able to formulate a treatment plan ahead of everything else.“We were able to have Tamiflu in place early from both contributions and we also had local production available.“We have not at this time had reason to proceed to have local production be a part of our supply.We had that in place in our response to the H5N1 (Avian Flu) and before for SARS and all those treatments are applicable today,” the Minister asserted.According to him, through public awareness programmes which amplified the importance of good hygienic practices, Guyana was able to avert massive transmission of the H1N1 virus.“We have been fortunate but that should not make us complacent because that is only the success up to this point…It can change tomorrow morning.”Minister Ramsammy underscored that the situation remains a very fragile one and will retain that status until it ceases to be a global problem.“We are going to continue to be at risk because we will not close our borders…. They will remain open for our people to travel and as long as no country closes their border we accept that we will remain at risk.”But according to Dr Ramsammy, the local health sector is now better prepared and will confront the global problem with all the tools at its disposal. |
