To ensure early diagnoses and improve life expectancy in Guyana, every citizen will now benefit from a $10,000 health care voucher, an initiative expected to benefit 500,000 individuals.
This is made possible under the universal healthcare voucher programme which was launched on Saturday at the Arthur Chung Conference Center, Liliendaal.
Additionally, citizens can get a 40 to 70 per cent discount from the initial costs of medical tests offered at hospitals and laboratories through a government partnership with more than 30 local facilities, including private labs and hospitals.
The universal healthcare voucher programme was launched on Saturday at the Arthur Chung Conference Center, Liliendaal (Photo: News Room/ March 15, 2025)
And for the hinterland communities, specific programmes are being worked out to ensure citizens receive their vouchers.
A sum of $5 billion was invested in this initiative, which forms part of government effort to achieve universal healthcare.
Delivering the feature address at the ceremony, President Dr Irfaan Ali said the government is committed to building a world-class health care system to serve the country and beyond.
The universal healthcare voucher programme was launched on Saturday at the Arthur Chung Conference Center, Liliendaal (Photo: News Room/ March 15, 2025)
“Once you have this voucher it is not only about 10,000 but it is about the 40 to 70 per cent discount of services you will receive at the private hospitals and centers,” President Ali said.
With massive investments made, Dr Ali highlighted that the private sector has working to improve the quality of service delivered, offering “seamless” healthcare.
“We are investing in equipment, technology and the tools for treatment,” Dr Ali noted.
Furthermore, he said the health care system is shifting from a treatment based to preventative based healthcare with focus on early detection, vaccination programmes, lifestyle changes and policy interventions.
So, the goal is to build a system that relies heavily on independence, removing human biasness.
For this to happen, Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony said efforts have begun to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into health care system.
The universal healthcare voucher programme was launched on Saturday at the Arthur Chung Conference Center, Liliendaal (Photo: News Room/ March 15, 2025)
“We have been using it in a very limited way but you will see us start changing and using these systems here in Guyana so that we can improve the quality of care that we are offering to our patients.
“We are moving into the 21 century in terms of medicine…also using technology to enable us to deliver quality care to our people,” Dr Anthony said.
Tests that can be done with the universal healthcare voucher include kidney, thyroid and liver function tests, a complete blood count, urine analyses and prostate antigen tests.
The vouchers can be accessed at community health centers, hospitals and outreach programmes.
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