HEALTH Minister Dr Frank Anthony has strongly rebuffed claims regarding a “new” on-call policy for doctors, dismissing the allegations as an attempt to overshadow the government’s achievements in the health sector.
In response to a recent article published by an online vlog run by Alliance For Change (AFC) member and opposition parliamentarian Sherod Duncan, which claimed that the doctors are frustrated, Dr Anthony issued a sharp rebuke.

He said, “We just opened a $6.6 billion hospital with more than 70 doctors working there, and some unknown persons are quoted as having some grievances? This is obviously a ploy to distract from a tangible achievement in healthcare.”

He added that if the complaints were legitimate, the individuals involved should engage the Ministry of Health’s Human Resource Department rather than going public anonymously.
The report described the policy as a new measure, but minister Anthony clarified that this is not the case.
“This is not a new policy. Doctors are required to do calls as part of their routine duties,” he said.

The $6.6 billion facility mentioned by the minister is the Diamond Regional Hospital, which was officially commissioned by President, Dr Irfaan Ali on Sunday.
The new hospital offers persons access to world-class health care with specialised services in internal medicine and surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics cardiology, mental health and psychology.
Featuring its own oxygen plant, water-filtration system, advanced diagnostics technology, 75 beds, three operating theatres and several intensive care units, the new hospital meets Chinese, British and American standards.

The facility also has wireless connectivity and advanced electronic systems, which aligns with the government’s vision to embrace a digital health care system.
The new hospital employs 45 patient assistants, 50 nursing assistants, over 40 registered nurses, and nearly 70 physician staff and consultants.
Six of the 12 regional hospitals that government plans to construct, are set to open this year.

With the hospital at Diamond already commissioned, five more facilities are under construction at Lima Sands, Essequibo Coast; De Kinderen, West Coast Demerara; Bath, West Coast Berbice; Enmore, East Coast Demerara and No. 75 Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

The 12 new regional hospitals are expected to employ approximately 8,000 persons.
In Guyana’s 2025 budget, a substantial allocation of $143.2 billion has been earmarked for the health sector. This funding aims to expand and modernise the healthcare system, with a focus on improving regional and specialty facilities, procuring medical equipment and supplies and training healthcare professionals. The budget also includes voucher programmes to assist individuals with the cost of basic health tests.