THE land preparation process for construction of the multi-million-dollar specialist hospital at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara has begun, and works are moving apace, despite negative talks by some sections of society. Health Minister, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran has assured that every step of the project has been reviewed, and will be undertaken successfully, since it has been recognized that this is a major investment, the first of its kind to serve the people of Guyana effectively and efficiently.
In an interview with this publication, Minister Ramsaran noted that a team of highly trained professionals will be coming to Guyana to carry out the different types of specialty services at the hospital.
A $97M contract has been awarded to G. Bovell Construction Company Limited to drain, grade and fill the land; construct a fence, bridges, gates, culverts and access road; and install utilities. The company has begun moving heavy machinery to undertake the work.
“Cabinet awarded the contract to Bovell Construction. It’s not just a piece of land; it’s to have a proper fence, drains and bridges, gateways and so on; and at the same time surveying the land properly,” Ramsaran explained.
It is anticipated that the construction of this state-of-the-art facility will result in a quantum leap in health care delivery in Guyana.
The new hospital will allow Guyanese to access the best quality tertiary health care at affordable cost, as Government will be entering into a partnership with a management group to deliver those services.    
Additionally, availability of the specialty hospital will reduce the number of people who travel overseas to receive medical attention, which can be expensive.
The facility will receive referrals from the various hospitals. Nevertheless, the Georgetown Public Hospital, the country’s chief health facility, will still be continuously developed to provide additional services.
Government is working along with international professionals to establish the hospital; and with Guyanese doctors to help effectively operate the facility, it will be providing 24-hour service to the public.

Photos showing the commencement of the land preparation process.

The Ministry of Health is providing clinical and technical training so as to ensure the entire health care system, which includes the specialty hospital, has the required manpower.
The proposed US$25M specialist hospital in Guyana will not only promote medical tourism, but will focus on providing specialised services to locals.
This is the largest ever single health care project to be undertaken in the health sector, and everything in the hospital will be specialized. Young professionals would be trained to reach the required standards, and provide them full-time in the new hospital, thus fulfilling its mandate.
Unlike foreign specialist hospitals, the Government of Guyana will be working towards giving citizens services at reduced costs, so that everyone can benefit from this new venture in the health sector.
The hospital will be open to both citizens and non-citizens, although Guyanese living here will be afforded a subsidy, from which overseas based Guyanese may not be able to benefit.          
In February 2011, former President Bharrat Jagdeo and then Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, visited India to finalise the agreement to construct the 250-bed hospital.
When completed, the hospital will be providing services including cardio-related and cosmetic surgeries and organ transplant. Construction is anticipated to commence by the first quarter of this year.
The EXIM Bank of India has approved and made available the funding on concessionary terms for construction of the hospital.