The life expectancy of Guyanese has increased significantly since the country gained its independence.This is according to statistics presented by Minister of Public Health Dr. George Norton.Minister of Public Health Dr. George NortonDr. Norton was at the time speaking at the Health 50 symposium held at the Arthur Chung Convention Center, Liliendaal yesterday.The event was hosted by the PAHO/WHO in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, (MoPH).Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo; Junior Minister,Cheap Jerseys USA, Dr. Karen Cummings; Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud; and PAHO/WHO Representative, Dr. William Adu-Krow, were among the distinguished guests. The Health Minister gave an overview of the achievements and challenges faced in Guyana’s health sector over the past 50 years.“The wealth of a nation is its people’s health and as we prepare to celebrate Guyana’s Golden Jubilee of Independence, it is an opportune time for us to reflect on the progressive journey of the health sector over the past 50 years,NFL Jerseys From China,” Norton remarked.Dr. Norton underscored,Cheap Soccer Jerseys, “Our health sector over the years has been filled with many challenges, but also with many successes.”The Minister noted that over the last five decades, Guyana’s health sector significantly advanced and has been able to achieve a greater life expectancy.“Life expectancy has risen from 40 in the 1960s to 61 by 1970 and that remained the same by 1990. This has now increased to 64 for males and 71 for females, as per 2014 statistics.“This was made possible due to improvements in health care delivery,” Dr. Norton posited.The Minister outlined that in the early independence era, there were considerable challenges with food and nutrition.This, he said, was a major focus in the public health sector, in order to address malnutrition challenges.Also, in the early days of independence, Norton said the Ministry focused on addressing sanitation matters.“A culture of unhygienic practices allowed many diseases,wholesale nfl jerseys, especially those which are vector- borne, to thrive. This issue still persists today.”However, in addition, the boost in the life expectancy,Cheap Jerseys From China, the Ministry of Public Health is the mastering of the immunization process.The Ministry boasts the best immunisation programme in the region, with a vaccination coverage of over 90 per cent for all antigens for the under-five population.“However, we have not become complacent and every year the Expanded Programme on Immunization receives millions of dollars for the purchasing of vaccines, equipment and services to ensure the safe delivery of the vaccination process.”“Over the past 50 years, we have seen the building of new and the modernizing and upgrading of previously existing hospitals and health care facilities, the training of medical professionals and so much more,” Norton added.The Minister noted that the focus of the sector has now shifted to issues such as mental health, chronic diseases, emerging infectious diseases and HIV and AIDS.These issues, among others, he said, are being tackled head-on using robust Strategies and Action Plans, chief among them being the Health Vision 2020.“The vision is that all people of Guyana are among the healthiest in the Caribbean and the Americas” by the year 2020.He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a resilient health care system in which Guyanese are provided with health services that are as accessible, acceptable, affordable, timely and appropriate as possible.“We are also fully committed to working towards reaching the sustainable Development Goals as we lay the foundation for a new development agenda.”“It is our duty to work together to ensure that current and future generations are afforded the opportunity to experience a health sector in which the successes by far outweigh the challenges,” he saidMinister Norton also lauded PAHO/WHO for its collaborative efforts with government and health sector.