–as gov’t commissions state-of-the-art $6.6B De Kinderen Regional Hospital

EQUIPPED with the most modern facilities and equipment, the $6.6 billion De Kinderen Regional Hospital in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) was on Monday commissioned by President Dr. Irfaan Ali.

The state-of-the-art facility marks a massive transformation for healthcare delivery in the region, with thousands of residents now having access to specialised and modern essential medical services in their home base.

The new hospital offers services in internal medicine and surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, cardiology, mental health and psychiatry, orthopaedics surgery, inpatient and outpatient care, advanced laboratory and imaging services, as well as dental and optical care.

“But as remarkable as these physical buildings are, the story of transformation in our human capital in a healthcare system is nothing short of extraordinary investment in place in building our human capital and healthcare system,” President Dr. Irfaan Ali said, affirming that the government will ensure that all new facilities are fully staffed to offer the best services.
He added: “[There are] Thousands of new Guyanese in a nursing programme as medical technologists, as doctors, as lab technicians, as dentists, in every sphere of the health ecosystem, we’ve invested in building the human capital and human potential to deliver the best possible health care to the people of this country.”

The President stressed that while the recruitment of local health workers is paramount, the government will bring in human resources if need arises.
The commissioning of the De Kinderen Regional Hospital is a significant milestone in the government’s broader plan to build a healthier, more resilient Guyana, with a strong emphasis on accessibility, community well-being, and quality of care.

The De Kinderen Regional Hospital is the fourth of six new health facilities that have been commissioned in a wider programme that is being pursued by the Government of Guyana to improve healthcare. The Enmore, Bath, and Diamond regional hospitals were recently commissioned.

The goal is to make healthcare services free and accessible, positioning Guyana as a hub for healthcare provision and training within the global ecosystem.
“Already, many persons from CARICOM [the Caribbean Community] are coming to our hospitals for treatment, and we will be able to play our role in building a stronger health ecosystem in our region; together, we will build strong,” the President said.

The President outlined the government’s commitment to developing a comprehensive, interconnected healthcare system across Guyana.
The system will integrate various hospitals, and provide electronic platforms for doctors, nurses, and pharmacists to access training programmes from universities like the University of West Indies (UWI).

The government plans to build a modern oncology hospital, expand dialysis services, and establish a stroke rehabilitation centre.
Additionally, they will invest in rehabilitative care, childcare centres, and infrastructure for pharmaceutical manufacturing and research.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony stated that the hospital is a symbol of progress, and a testament to the President’s vision for world-class healthcare, highlighting its advanced features such as a 24-hour emergency department, a 24-hour imaging centre with X-ray, ultrasound, and CT scan capabilities, and three well-equipped operating theaters.
Dr. Anthony stressed the government’s commitment to modernising and expanding healthcare facilities, citing the region’s old facilities that were outdated and lacked basic amenities like water and electricity.

The new hospital represents a modernisation effort aimed at providing better healthcare services to the residents of Region Three