‘We are bringing tomorrow’s medicine to Guyana today’
Following the commissioning ceremony, President Dr. Irfaan Ali and other officials toured the new Number 75 Village Regional Hospital on the Corentyne Coast, viewing the state-of-the-art pieces of equipment and interacting with staff. This is the sixth modern health facility the government has opened as part of its ongoing efforts to transform healthcare and bring world-class services to all citizens regardless of where they live (Photo: President Ali/Facebook)
Following the commissioning ceremony, President Dr. Irfaan Ali and other officials toured the new Number 75 Village Regional Hospital on the Corentyne Coast, viewing the state-of-the-art pieces of equipment and interacting with staff. This is the sixth modern health facility the government has opened as part of its ongoing efforts to transform healthcare and bring world-class services to all citizens regardless of where they live (Photo: President Ali/Facebook)

-President Ali says at commissioning of multibillion No. 75 Village Regional Hospital
-assures PPP/C gov’t is committed to bridging gaps, ensuring equitable access to healthcare

OFFERING both primary and specialised healthcare services, the multibillion-dollar No. 75 Village Regional Hospital will now serve thousands of Upper Corentyne residents, who would have once had to travel long distances to seek medical attention.

President Ali speaking moments before commissioning the country’s sixth regional hospital at No. 75 Village, Corentyne, Berbice (OP photo)

Equipped with the most modern amenities and technology, the facility was commissioned on Thursday by President Dr. Irfaan Ali, who during a formal ceremony told residents and stakeholders that the  People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government’s  revolution of the healthcare sector is not merely about the steel and cement infrastructures, but one that is strategic, ensuring that access to healthcare is equitable countrywide.

 

“We are closing critical gaps in our health care system. We’re ensuring that access to quality healthcare is not a distant hope reached only after long journeys, but a living reality right here in our communities,” the President said.

The inside of the new hospital (Regional Democratic Council Region No.6 photo)

This is sixth new health facility that have been commissioned in a wider programme that is being pursued by the Government of Guyana to improve healthcare.

 

The other healthcare facilities are located at Diamond and Enmore (Region Four), Bath (Region Five), De Kinderen (Region Three) and Lima Sands (Region Two).

 

Reflecting on the previous failures of the country’s healthcare system, President Ali noted that the government will not stop at the regional facilities but will take on a larger integrated plan to improve healthcare at every level.

 

The ultimate aim is to offer services that are no longer confined to geographical lines or neglect.

“It means that no mother in Berbice should have to wonder if her child can see a specialist. It means that no father should have to travel days for dialysis. It means that our seniors, our women, our children, or persons living with disabilities, must feel right where they live that healthcare works for them,” the President said.

 

The government had embarked on an ambitious plan to provide the necessary infrastructure to decentralise healthcare across the country. Aside from the building of regional facilities, the government has invested heavily in the training of health professionals, telemedicine, digital patient records and other artificial intelligence and technology driven initiatives.

The facility brings primary and specialised healthcare services closer to home for residents who once had to travel long distances to seek medical attention (Regional Democratic Council Region No.6 photo)

“Can you imagine a Guyana where every region boasts hospitals equal to those overseas, that is the Guyana we are building from hinterland to coastland,” the President said.

 

The new hospital will also facilitate the training of medical professionals. Within the next three months, all students enrolled in medical programmes will be able to pursue their courses in Berbice.

 

The government plans to expand healthcare access, train 10,000 healthcare workers, and invest in digital health infrastructure. The vision includes a fully integrated emergency response system, telemedicine, and advanced care services.

 

 

‘QUALITY HEALTH CARE IS RIGHT HERE AT YOUR DOORSTEP’

 

Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony stated that the government has been advancing healthcare delivery, ensuring that both primary and specialised care is closer to the doorsteps of residents across the country.

 

“We have been writing a new chapter in the story of health of this country; a story not of despair, but one of hope, not of neglect, but one of renewal, a story about what happens when a nation dares to believe that healthcare is not a privilege for a few but the right of every man, every woman and every child who calls this place home. Think back just a few years ago, too many families had to travel long distances, wait a long time, or go without care that they desperately needed,” Dr. Anthony said.

 

Aside from the state-of-the-art regional facilities being built, the government too has been working to ensure that the smaller facilities too are equipped to adequately serve citizens. Thus far, 26 health centres have been targetted.

 

He reminded that under the previous administration the country’s healthcare supply chain was broken with basic medication and amenities being unavailable.

 

“We had dysfunctional laboratories, lacking equipment. And very often when there was equipment, it lacked reagents. We had a shortage of diagnostic imaging services, including a simple thing like an X ray machine, ultrasound and worse yet, CT scans, patients and families were left to suffer.”

 

The President’s vision, he noted has transformed Guyana’s health sector, with improved care and progress defined by hope rather than despair.

 

“This hospital would save lives. It would deliver babies safely. It will perform surgeries that once require long journeys, either to New Amsterdam or to Georgetown. It would also provide emergency care when those minutes matters most, and it would give family that peace of mind that quality healthcare is right here at your doorsteps.”

 

The government has increased healthcare worker salaries, employed over 5,000 new healthcare professionals, and partnered with world-class institutions for training. Initiatives include electronic health records, online appointments, and telemedicine.

 

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