THE Ministry of Health, for this year, is looking to establish at least 50 more telemedicine sites across the country.

This is according to Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, who was at the time speaking to residents of Wallaba village in Region One, during the recommissioning of the community’s health post.

During his remarks, he noted that there are currently 25 telemedicine sites in various hinterland communities across the country.

“In this year’s budget, our plan is to do at least another 50 sites,” he said, while speaking on the intended expansion of this type of service in the country.

Against this backdrop, he said that the ministry is working along with the regional health authorities to make sure that they can select places that would benefit significantly from this service.

He added, “So as was said, a doctor can be in Georgetown or Mabaruma and talk to the community health worker here and be able to lift the quality of care that we offer. So that’s how telemedicine works.”

Telemedicine is a two-way, real-time interactive communication between a patient and healthcare provider at different sites. This type of system is supported by audio and video equipment and integrated medical devices that allow healthcare workers to diagnose, evaluate and treat patients remotely.

This programme was officially launched in Guyana in 2022 with four Amerindian communities in Region Nine as part of the pilot programme. It was later expanded to some 25 communities in Regions One, Seven, Eight, Nine and 10, with an allocation of $1.8 billion in 2023.

These sites will be equipped with the requisite technological devices which provide community health workers stationed in these communities with 24-hour access to specialists from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.