GUYANA’S healthcare system has seen remarkable advancements over the past three years, driven by a strategic partnership with Mount Sinai and the Hess Corporation.

Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony highlighted the tangible benefits of this collaboration at the recent extension of the partnership, noting improvements in patient care, data security and workforce training.

Among the most significant achievements is the enhancement of pathology services at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Dr Anthony noted that the turnaround time for test results has been dramatically reduced, from three months to just three days.

In addition to this, there was also strengthening of data security and confidentiality legislation, paving the way for modern electronic health record systems.

“These efforts are vital for developing modern electronic health-record systems, ensuring that patient information is protected and accessible only to authorised personnel,” Dr Anthony said.

Another key initiative under the partnership is the school-screening programme, which has provided health assessments for over 35,000 children across the country.

“This initiative not only identifies potential health issues early, but also connects families with the resources needed for further care,” the minister stated.

The collaboration has also played a crucial role in expanding human-resource capacity within the health-care sector.

To this end, he highlighted the development of tailored training programmes designed to equip health-care professionals with the skills necessary to address community-specific health challenges.

“These programmes include workshops on the new guidelines that we have for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases,” he said.

With investments in work-force development, the initiative he said, ensures that health facilities are staffed with well-trained professionals capable of delivering high-quality care.

As the government continues to strengthen its health-care system, Dr Anthony reaffirmed the importance of such partnerships in achieving long-term improvements.