-facility will significantly reduce wait time for test results, improve cancer research, service other CARICOM states, President Ali announces

INCREASING its capacity to aid in the early diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases, particular cancers, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Sunday commissioned a $474 million pathology lab.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony held at the country’ main referral public health facility on World Cancer Day, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, said officials have been placing much emphasis on the infrastructure, investments and modernisation of healthcare services with a focus on closing the gaps that exist within the sector.

“There is a gap globally and there is a gap within the region and in the country. There is a gap as a result of affordability. There is a gap that is systemic because in some systems, the system does not allow everyone to benefit from the treatment of cancer but in this gap, there is tremendous opportunity,” he said while delivering his remarks.

He added that Guyana is building out a healthcare system that will provide world-class service not only to its populace locally but regionally.

“Our ultimate goal is to make this lab available to all of CARICOM [Caribbean Community], all of this region because this is one of its kind in CARICOM now…what we’re doing here is building the healthcare system ahead of time.”

Simultaneously, the president noted that the country is also strengthening its human resources capacity with the rapid improvement in the overall welfare of those in the medical field.

He highlighted that investing in human resources is crucial to building out a world-class healthcare system.

“Building a world-class healthcare system relies heavily on a world-class human resource base that would manage and work with that system. And the investments we are making, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that our human resources asset in the healthcare system in Guyana is quickly becoming a world-class asset.”

He reminded, however, that the continuous improvement to the welfare of healthcare workers requires patience.

“The resources that will come our way to expand and broaden the economy and to improve your welfare will become more pronounced in the years 2027 going forward.”

The state-of-the-art pathology lab is outfitted with several cutting-edge equipment. These include: a digital scanner, a chemical recycler, an automated tissue processor, new microscopes and microtome machines.

According to the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Robbie Rambarran, telepathology which is the practice of remote pathology using telecommunication links to enable the electronic transmission of digital pathology images, will be among the key services offered for the first time in Guyana and at the new facility.

The lab which was constructed in partnership with Mount Sinai, the World Bank and the Government of Guyana, stands as a testimony to the hospital’s dedication in improving its service, Rambarran said.

“This partnership has enabled us to introduce cutting edge technologies and practices that will increase efficiencies of the hospital operation and pave the way for the introduction of new services to benefit the people of this country and beyond.”

Prior to the commissioning of the new lab, the previous facility, according to Rambarran had laid dormant for several years.

He shared his experience from visiting Mount Sinai’s Manhattan Pathology Lab in New York where discussion began to strategize and improve the service, including the acquisition of new equipment and the introduction of telepathology.

Crucial decisions were made to restructure the facility, which led to a reduced turnaround time for medical test results from approximately 35 days to seven days.
And now with this new facility the hospital anticipates a turnaround time of 48 hours for routine tests and 24 hours for urgent tests.

The lab currently has six technical staff and five pathologists and training is ongoing to boost this capacity.

Aside from this, the hospital has begun working to achieve the ISO 1519: 2002 certification for the new facility.

Meanwhile Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony in his remarks said that Guyana is working to build a world-class healthcare system, with a focus on developing new infrastructure and improving the quality of healthcare through partnerships with international organisations.

The government, he said is investing in cancer diagnostics and treatment, including the acquisition of equipment and funding from the World Bank.