Georgetown, Guyana, 6 November 2020 (PAHO/WHO)—To eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) as a public health problem in Guyana and obtain validation of elimination by 2025, Mass Drug Administration (MDA) has been implemented as the main elimination strategy in 2019 in the eight (8) filaria endemic Regions – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10. The 2020 LF MDA Campaign has been postponed to early 2021 due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
New strategies have been considered to successfully roll out all campaign activities for the final round of LF MDA using the triple drug therapy – Ivermectin, Diethylcarbamazine and Albendazole (IDA). A National Training of trainers was conducted from 24 to 28 August 2020, under strict national COVID-19 guidelines. The forty-five (45) health professionals who were trained included National Supervisors, Regional Coordinators and National Pharmacist.
To garner stronger supports from the regional authorities and influencers, stakeholders meetings are organized in the eight endemic regions. The first of these meeting was held in Region 10 where a SWOT analysis has been done for the local health authorities better involvement in what is expected to be Guyana last MDA campaign. These meetings will continue face to face in all remaining regions in the month of November 2020.
