More than 40,000 residents along the East Bank corridor will now have access to high-quality, reliable healthcare with the official opening of the state-of-the-art Diamond Regional Hospital.
President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, flanked by Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, Cabinet ministers, health officials and members of the public, commissioned the facility on Sunday evening.
The hospital, built to meet Chinese, British, and American medical standards, offers round-the-clock emergency care, surgeries, maternity and neonatal services, and outpatient clinics. With 75 inpatient beds, three operating theatres, and advanced diagnostic tools like CT scanners, digital X-ray, and ultrasound, it promises to raise the bar for public health delivery in Guyana.
“This is not just about a building,” President Ali told the crowd. “It’s about dignity, equity, and life itself. We are investing in people.”
He stressed that the services offered will not depend on one’s income or social standing. “Everyone must have a minimum standard of care—regardless of where they live,” the President added.
The Diamond facility was built in collaboration with China’s Sinopharm International and is part of a broader $37.2 billion national health infrastructure project, which includes new hospitals in Lima, De Kinderen, Enmore, Bath, and Skeldon.
“These hospitals are not stand-alone projects,” President Ali said. “They’re part of a connected, future-ready health system.”
The government’s goal is not only to improve access but also to standardise care across all regions. From matching equipment to consistent medical protocols, the aim is to provide seamless and sustainable healthcare nationwide.
Complementing these upgrades is a massive investment in training, with over 6,000 nurses expected to be trained in the next five years. New nursing schools have already opened in Regions Two, Six, and 10.
Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony said the former Diamond hospital, in operation for 18 years, could no longer meet demand.
“In 2020, we made some upgrades and converted it into a ‘smart hospital’, but the needs kept growing,” he said. “This new facility ensures people on the East Bank have access to the best care.”
The launch was also attended by Chinese Ambassador Yang Yang, Sinopharm Vice President Yan Hailu, and Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Malcolm Watkins.
Beyond the coast, hospitals are also being built in Moruca, Kamarang, Kato, and Lethem, alongside a Paediatric and Maternal Hospital at Ogle and a modern facility in New Amsterdam. Major upgrades are underway at existing hospitals in Bartica, Linden, and West Demerara.
President Ali reminded attendees that these projects were promised in the PPP/C’s 2020-2025 manifesto, which outlined a plan for a world-class, inclusive health system. Despite delays caused by COVID-19, the government has already upgraded more than 400 health facilities, including 26 health centres.
With investments also being made in electronic health records, AI diagnostics, and robotic surgery, Guyana is on track to become a regional health hub.
“By 2028, we’ll have 12 new hospitals up and running,” the President affirmed. “We’re building a system that will serve not just Guyanese—but the wider Caribbean.”
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