Guyana is a signatory to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs were created as a response to the world's main development challenges. The MDGs were drawn from objectives contained in the Millennium Declaration that was adopted by 189 nations-and signed by 147 Heads of State and governments during the United Nations Millennium Summit in September 2000. The MDGs focus on eight goals that are to be achieved by 2015. The health specifics of the MDGs are to reduce child and infant mortality and increase the number of immunized children before the age of one, improve material health, combat HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria.
The National Health Sector Strategy Plan was first implemented for the period of 2003-2007. The Plan focused on advancing the country’s health to produce a higher life expectancy, strengthen and reinforce the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS), the National Development Strategy (NDS), and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), make funds available for health in both private and public health sectors. The Plan is currently being updated to become the National Health Sector Strategy 2008-2012 (NHSS).