THE impressive statistics shared by President Dr. Irfaan Ali during the commissioning of the Number 75 Village Regional Hospital on Thursday highlight the ongoing transformation in healthcare.

In less than three months of operation, new regional hospitals have treated 25,000 patients, welcomed 220 newborn babies, and performed about 100 surgeries. These figures are not just data; they reflect lives saved, families united, and communities gaining access to top-quality healthcare nearby.

The critics who doubted the $38 billion investment in regional healthcare infrastructure now see the results in the faces of thousands of Guyanese who no longer have to make long journeys to Georgetown for good medical care.

The six modern hospitals—located in Diamond, Enmore, Bath, De Kinderen, Lima, and now Number 75 Village—have significantly changed the healthcare landscape in Guyana, adding 18 advanced operating rooms and a range of medical services to areas that previously lacked them.

What stands out about this achievement is how quickly and broadly it has been implemented. As leading cardiologist Dr. Mahendra Carpen pointed out, no other Caribbean country has built 12 new hospitals in such a short time while also focusing on developing its workforce.

This signifies more than just building infrastructure; it represents a complete rethinking of healthcare delivery, including emergency services, advanced diagnostics, and specialised treatments in cardiology, mental health, and orthopaedic surgery.

The transformation goes beyond just physical buildings. These hospitals come equipped with advanced technology, such as CT scanners, digital X-ray systems, modern laboratories able to conduct more than 150 diagnostic tests, and telemedicine options that connect patients with specialists both locally and globally.

Each facility offers 75 air-conditioned private rooms, intensive care units, neonatal care units, and 24/7 emergency services.

The government’s dedication to ensuring these investments benefit citizens is clear in President Ali’s order to eliminate all drug shortages and fully digitise the Materials Management Unit by 2025.

This comprehensive plan combines top-tier infrastructure with strong supply chains and digital health systems. It positions Guyana not only as a leader in regional healthcare but also as a model for other developing countries.

The 25,000 patients already treated are just the start. With plans for medical education centres in each region and training for 1,200 nurses each year, Guyana is creating a sustainable healthcare system for future generations. The days when distance from Georgetown meant a lack of good healthcare are coming to an end. A new era is beginning, where excellent medical care is a reality within communities, not just a distant dream.