JUST as Guyana marked the historic breakthrough of having performed the longest distance telesurgery procedure using advanced robotics, President Dr Irfaan Ali has noted that an agreement has been reached to establish an international training hub in Guyana in this regard.
During the recent press conference, the head of state indicated that the move will position the country as a regional centre for advanced robotic surgery training.
He said the agreement is a major step in Guyana’s wider push to become a leader in global healthcare and to ensure that its development benefits the wider Caribbean region.
“When I said that we want to position Guyana as a leader in global health care, many persons doubted.”
The President said Guyana’s investment in robotic surgery was not limited to acquiring technology, but also included securing full training support from the system’s developers.
The company, SS Innovations (SSI) are pioneering the future of medical robotics by leveraging technology, surgeons and training to drive the advancements in the field of surgery.
He said the country had adopted some of the most advanced robotic surgical technology available globally, describing it as a leap into the future of medical care.
“We have leapfrogged to 2050 and beyond in medical technology.”
According to Dr Ali, Guyana also negotiated for the establishment of a structured training ecosystem through SSI Mantra, ensuring that international-standard instruction will now be delivered locally.
He said this included sending local medical professionals to India for specialised training under the programme and added that those who underwent training performed exceptionally well and impressed their international counterparts.
He added that within weeks, Guyana will be able to host the same level of advanced training currently delivered in India, as part of the hub to be established.
“Everything that they experienced in the most advanced facility in India, in the coming weeks will be available here in Guyana for the rest of the region as we build out the hub for robotic surgery and care from Guyana and the spokes will be built out throughout the Caribbean and we will provide the training mechanism for all of the teams across the region,” the President affirmed.
Dr Ali said the model will see Guyana function as the central point in a regional “hub and spoke” system, where healthcare professionals from across CARICOM will be trained locally and then supported through a wider network.
“This facility will allow us to train professionals from across the region.”
He went on to note that the initiative reflects a deliberate strategy to ensure that Guyana becomes not only a user of advanced medical technology but also a producer and exporter of medical training and expertise.
The President said this development strengthens Guyana’s ambition to become a regional centre of excellence in healthcare innovation, supported by partnerships, technology transfer, and capacity building.