Guyana is set to transform its healthcare landscape under an extended national initiative. In an announcement Tuesday, key partners, including Mount Sinai, the Ministry of Health, and Hess Corporation, outlined ambitious plans to modernise the country’s health system.
An agreement was signed for Vision 2030, a five-year plan aimed at achieving world-class healthcare in Guyana. This includes developing community-based care, establishing a national cancer treatment centre focusing on cervical, breast, and prostate cancers, and operationalising the new national women’s and children’s hospital. Enhancements in digital health infrastructure, human resource training, and sustainability are also part of the five-year plan.
President Dr Irfaan Ali addressing the audience on Tuesday (Photo: Office of the President)
The agreement, initially signed three years ago, has already led to substantial advancements in healthcare. Notably, a school-based programme has screened over 35,000 children for vision, dental, developmental, hearing, and speech issues. The initiative also saw the creation of a new pathology laboratory at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Additionally, in response to a shortage of nurses, nearly 900 new nursing assistants have been trained.
“I am confident that with the investment we are making—whether in research, education, infrastructure, human capital development, enhancing our diagnostic capabilities, transitioning from clinics to polyclinics, or investing in equipment—all of this will allow us to achieve world-class healthcare,” President Dr Irfaan Ali said during the signing of the extension on Tuesday at State House.
(Photo: Office of the President)
President Ali emphasised that healthcare excellence should have no borders, stating the government’s goal is equitable healthcare access in every region, providing all Guyanese with timely, quality, and effective care. This vision also extends to the wider Caribbean region.
“By the end of 2030, quality healthcare will be every Guyanese’s birthright,” President Ali asserted. He added, “Our prosperity must lead to regional prosperity, and our healthcare system is being built to support regional citizens.”
Executive Director of Mount Sinai Guyana, Dr Rachel Vreeman, affirmed her organisation’s ongoing commitment to further invest in the country’s healthcare development.
“By 2030, we anticipate that Guyana will transform its public health system to have a continuum of high-quality healthcare services across each region,” Dr Vreeman said.
Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony added that the goal is not only to extend the lifespan of every Guyanese but also to enhance their quality of life through accessible and high-quality care. He highlighted that the partnership has been pivotal in designing a secure electronic medical records system.
“Over the past three years, our partnership with Mount Sinai has significantly improved patient care at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. We have made notable advancements in pathology services, where we have expedited turnaround times for test results, reducing them from three months to literally three days,” the Health Minister said.
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