Georgetown, Guyana – The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health conducted a three-day training program on “Tuberculosis Infection Control for Health Care Workers.”  During the August 13- 15, 2012, program, health care workers participated in classroom lectures and group activities at the Ocean View International Hotel. The training was designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to implement Tuberculosis infection control practices in their respective outpatient facilities throughout Guyana.

 

Ambassador D. Brent Hardt addressed the participants at the closing session of the training program. He emphasized the importance of their role as implementers who would put this new knowledge into practice and work with other stakeholders to implement infection control policies and practices in health care facilities in Guyana. This, he noted, will protect patients and health care workers from Tuberculosis exposure and thereby save lives.

 

Tuberculosis is a serious health threat and major cause of death in persons living with HIV. Guyana has one of the highest rates of tuberculosis (TB) in the Latin America/Caribbean region, with approximately 25 percent of new cases being infected with HIV.

 

The United States is one of the largest donors to global TB control efforts.  With the passage of the U.S. Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003, which created the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a heightened priority was given to global TB efforts.  In May 2009, the Obama Administration launched the Global Health Initiative (GHI) as an effort to develop a comprehensive U.S. Government strategy for global health and included TB as one of nine global health program areas.

 

The nursing consultants from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) who facilitated the training program will return in six months to assess progress in implementation of the facility TB infection control plans and provide technical guidance on resolving any implementation barriers or problems encountered.