Survive and Thrive
Every child has a right to access good health services
Challenges
While UNICEF Guyana and Suriname has achieved notable progress on key survival indicators devoid of a dedicated health programme there is still much to be done specifically in the areas of maternal and child health interventions (newborn care, breastfeeding support and immunization).
There is a need to improve access to mental health systems and psychosocial support for adolescents and young adults in and out of the formal school systems; additionally an integrated communication campaign aimed at speaking up is essential in achieving key results.
Solutions
The long-term vision for change is that by 2026, girls and boys in Guyana and Suriname, including in humanitarian settings, grow up healthy, thrive, develop to their full potential and build resilience by benefiting from increased access to quality health and nutrition services.
UNICEF will provide technical support to the Ministries of Health to deliver high-impact maternal and child health interventions (newborn care, breastfeeding support and immunization) with a focus on hard-to-reach and underserved areas.
The programme will offer technical support for strengthening the cold chain in the hinterlands, complemented by demand creation for immunization through social and behavioural change communication. UNICEF will continue to support the Governments in procuring vaccines, including the roll-out of the human papillomavirus vaccine in Guyana.
In Suriname, UNICEF will continue to advocate for integration of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes in national laws. In both countries, promotion of the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding will be part of the integrated approach to primary health care. UNICEF will contribute to the sensitization of families, caregivers and communities on the impact of unhealthy diets, overweight and obesity on the health of children and adolescents.
UNICEF will provide technical support to strengthen service delivery and care systems for mental health and psychosocial well-being in schools and other community-based settings. It will support the Governments in piloting school-based mental health interventions, including the establishment of abuse and counselling facilities in schools, and develop a communication campaign for adolescents and families on the importance of speaking up.
Capacity strengthening will help local and national health systems to reduce their vulnerability in emergencies by including emergency action plans in all planning work. UNICEF and United Nations partners will support the Government of Guyana in establishing a modern Health Management Information System.
