| The incidence of diarrhoeal diseases is always regarded as the number one or number two cause of death among children globally. In fact, it has been deduced that one third of children deaths are caused by this health threat, according to Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy.And in order to effectively address the problem of diarrhoeal infections, the Ministry of Health has been closely looking at the most common cause of the health problem. While it has been observed over the years that diarrhoeal diseases are usually at a peak during the latter and beginning parts of any year, there are usually reported cases year-round,Adidas Nmd Pink Shoes, Minister Ramsammy said yesterday.Based on the close monitoring of reported cases,Cheap Air Max 90 Shoes, it has been deduced that the rotavirus is one of the causes of the disease among children. In Guyana, one-third of all cases among children are caused by the rotavirus.According to the World Health Organisation, rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhoeal disease in infants and young children globally. It is estimated that the virus is responsible for approximately 527,000 deaths each year, with more than 85 percent of these deaths occurring in low-income countries in Africa and Asia, and over two million are hospitalised each year with pronounced dehydration.Children under five years of age, especially those between six months and two years are most vulnerable to the disease. Vaccines against rotavirus gastroenteritis are available and are the single prevention and control measure with the most significant impact on reducing severe disease incidence.As a result, the Minister said that he has over the years been lobbying for the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine into the local health sector. And it was due to his unwavering efforts last week Tuesday, the first shipment of rotavirus vaccines arrived in Guyana which would see the rolling out of a rotavirus vaccination process this week, the Minister said.According to him, the Ministry will begin to introduce rotavirus vaccine among vulnerable children in the coming weeks. He however noted that all children will not receive rotavirus vaccine as part of the Expanded Immunisation Initiative this year.It is expected though that the vaccine will become a part of the routine vaccination programme by next year whereby all children will receive the vaccine.“Since diarrhoea is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality among children under five years old and since rotavirus is implicated as a major cause of diarrhoea, we expect that the introduction of rotavirus vaccine in children will reduce significantly morbidity and mortality in Guyanese children.”The introduction of rotavirus vaccine,Cheap Nike Air Max 97 Shoes For Women, he said, is supported by GAVI (the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunisation) and represents an important step being taken as Guyana enters the last phase of its programme to attain the health goals within the Millennium Development Goals.At the moment,Air Max 95 Sale, the Minister revealed that the upsurge in diarrhoea which was evident earlier this year has since considerably reduced and therefore is not at an alarming level.The Ministry of Health had earlier this year admitted that there was an increase in the number of cases when compared to the same period last year. The Ministry had however asserted that the problem has over the years remained a global public health problem in both developed and developing countries, although it assumes greater significance in developing countries. Further it was noted that the occurrence of gastroenteritis is seasonal illness and the highest incidence occurs in the months of December,Calvin Ridley Jersey, January,Air Max 98 Gundam For Sale, February and March.This disclosure had come at a time when the Ministry was receiving an unusual number of calls from the public relating to diarrhoeal illnesses.According to a report from the Ministry, a total of 11,017 cases of gastroenteritis (diarrheal illnesses) among children alone were discovered in the first for epidemiological weeks of this year.These cases represented a notable increase over 2009.“Because the Ministry of Health considers the occurrence of gastroenteritis as a major public health problem, we have been monitoring the incidence of diarrheal illnesses throughout the country.All health facilities in Guyana, including private doctors and private hospitals have to report incidences on a weekly basis to the Ministry of Health,” the Minister said.However, one of the problems encountered is the unreliable reporting from health facilities around the country, Minister Ramsammy added. |
