The National Commission on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) has been reconstituted to serve for the period of February 2019 through December 2021. To help boost the performance of the Commission, the Pan American Health Officer/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) has given some support in the form of a desktop computer, printer, and backup battery.
Receiving the equipment on behalf of the Commission was Chairperson, Dr Holly Alexander, who noted that this gesture will go a far way in supporting the work of the Commission.
PAHO/WHO Resident Representative, Dr William Adu-Krow, has indicated that this move is intended to ensure the secretariat functions optimally. The secretariat is located in the recently constructed Mental Health Unit building in Quamina Street, the Department of Public Infrastructure has noted.
According to the official Terms of Reference of the Commission, there must be an established committee financed by the Ministry of Public Health. This office is expected to ensure that meetings are held, documentation for the commission is filed, and distributed as necessary among other administrative tasks.
The contribution made by PAHO/WHO will aid in the effective execution of the roles of the commission’s secretariat.
In February, a new Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson namely Dr Holly Alexander and Dr Grace White were identified to lead the Commission through a reoriented mandate to serve in an advisory capacity to the government on measures to prevent and control non-communicable diseases in Guyana.
The commission will also advise the government accordingly towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #3 which seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for persons of all ages.
