PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali has announced a major financial commitment of $7.6 billion over the next five years to support Guyanese newborns, as part of a wide-ranging social-development initiative introduced in the 2025 National Budget.

Speaking at a public meeting held last Friday at Industry, East Coast Demerara, President Ali reaffirmed the government’s vision to strengthen Guyanese families and support the nation’s future from the moment of birth.

“We want to grow families. We want to grow our population. That is why we are giving you $1.5 billion on current estimate of 15,250 newborns.”

“In the next five years, if you use that estimate on a newborn initiative alone, we will be giving the first-day-old Guyanese $7.6 billion in the next five years. We are not only investing in the past and the present, but [also] investing from day one in the future. And we want you to double that. If you double that, we can back that up with increasing the grant,” the Head of State declared last Friday.

This announcement builds on the March launch of the cash-grant initiative for newborns, which President Ali described as a “historic moment for Guyana.” At that time, he had stated:
“Children are not just our future, but our present. Every newborn represents a promise, a blank page waiting to be written,” the Head of State remarked.

Emphasising the importance of nurturing the next generation, President Ali declared that the birth of a child is a national heritage, a new national asset that must be protected and supported. He stressed that the grant is not a financial burden on taxpayers, but rather a strategic investment in the nation’s future leaders.

“This cash grant is not just financial assistance, it is a long-term investment in the future of Guyana,” the President affirmed.

Additionally, he assured parents that the grant is not a privilege but a right, reinforcing that every child, regardless of their parents’ background or circumstances, will receive this financial support from birth.

The initiative is part of a broader governmental thrust to enhance family welfare and create equitable opportunities for all Guyanese children, regardless of socio-economic backgrounds. The grant applies to all babies born on or after January 1, 2025.

According to official statistics, over 2,052 babies were born across the country between January and February of this year. More than 17,000 births are anticipated by the end of 2025, up from 14,742 in 2024.

The Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, had previously highlighted improvements in maternal and neonatal care, including strengthened primary healthcare and better support for high-risk pregnancies. The expansion of neonatal care to regional hospitals has further eased the burden on central institutions like the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

The grant for newborns has been widely lauded for its timely financial relief to families and is viewed as a cornerstone of the government’s broader agenda to invest in Guyana’s future generations.