Guyana government to sign contract for 6 new regional hospitals

In order to improve public health care for all Guyanese, the government will sign contracts for six new regional hospitals in the coming weeks. President Dr Irfaan Ali presented a host of proposals for the health system during his Independence Day address to Guyana on Wednesday evening.

The project is part of a larger US$180 million initiative that will modernise six regional facilities.

"Within weeks, we'll sign contracts for six big regional hospitals, each of which will be 65,000 square feet. On the Essequibo Coast, one will be exactly here. These six hospitals will cost us around US$180 million in total.

"We have vowed to deliver a world-class health system in order to improve the health and well-being of our population." We've set out on this adventure with zeal to build and implement a strategy that will achieve such a goal. We have already put in place various projects to promote access to high-quality health care for our country's citizens," added the President

The government is also about to sign a $170 million deal for a national maternity and childcare facility, which will provide modernised health care for mothers and children.

"We're working with the best in the industry, the best in global healthcare, and yes, we've recognised that we need to mend the dysfunctional systems," Dr. Ali added.

Four main tele-diagnostic centres will be upgraded to regional hospitals in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

The Head of State has hinted at a plan to improve the healthcare procurement system in order to ensure better accountability. The Georgetown, West Demerara, Bartica, and Linden hospitals are working with external funding bodies to improve their protocols and administration.

"We can't just put money into the building and infrastructure. We're also putting money into human resources... Those who are entrusted with the healthcare system must be accountable for the services they provide, and this is part of the strategy.

"Over the next few years, we want to train and attract a significant number of healthcare professionals to provide not just health care, but the best, world-class health care to the people of Guyana." "This is what we're investing in: world-class educational and health services," Dr. Ali explained.

The President noted that locals want fast-paced development as the Cinderella county prepared for the country's 56th Independence Day celebrations.

In the face of a difficult global environment, he asserted that his administration has outperformed its manifesto promises for the country.

"We're aware that there are holes. We understand that there is still more to be done; that you want us to go faster, that you want more. But we know that, within global and regional restrictions, we've been delivering for you ahead of schedule and ahead of the manifesto objectives," he said.

The government intends to invest a record $73 billion in the healthcare industry by 2022. From $53.5 billion in 2021, this was a massive gain. A total of $1 billion has been made aside for health centre upgrades, with an extra $2 billion set up for medical and non-medical equipment.

The Ali-led administration is working on a number of larger projects aimed at decentralising health care and making it easier for Guyanese to access it. The construction of a new $2 billion multi-specialty hospital in Suddie, Region Two, is a key project (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Meanwhile, the smart hospital project is nearing completion, with the goal of combining structural and operational safety as well as disaster resistance while preserving a "green" operating status. This project upgraded hospitals in Diamond, Leonora, Mabaruma, Paramakatoi, and Lethem. The initiative is part of a $835 million grant administered by the Pan American Health Organization and funded by the former United Kingdom Department for International Development (PAHO).

Upgrades to the West Demerara Regional Hospital in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Suddie Hospital in Region Two, and Bartica Hospital in Region Seven will also be made possible thanks to a grant from the Indian government.