-free dialysis centre, expanded services promise improved kidney care for Region Three residents
TWENTY dialysis patients were placed at the centre of recognition and care on Thursday, as the De Kinderen Regional Hospital marked World Kidney Day with a special ceremony honouring their resilience, while spotlighting the growing national response to kidney disease.
The event formed part of a wider push by the facility to expand access to free screening, testing, and treatment.
Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr. Dhanraj Ramnandan, pointed to thousands already accessing services at the hospital, while Regional Health Officer, Dr. Fiaaz Hassan, underscored a major shift in public healthcare delivery, announcing that dialysis services are set to expand across Guyana, including new in-patient access in Region Three and a dedicated dialysis centre by the end of 2026.
These moves aim to ease the burden on patients and families, while strengthening long-term kidney care.
The event attracted a wide range of participants, sponsors, and visitors. Through its Department of Internal Medicine, De Kinderen Hospital honoured 20 dialysis patients selected randomly in observance of World Kidney Day.
The hospital, which is Region Three’s premier medical institution has been in operation for seven months, yet it has already become a major healthcare provider for thousands of patients in the region managing kidney disease and related illnesses.
Speaking on the hospital’s impact, Dr. Ramnandan said its achievements had surpassed expectations.
“As we stand here today, in two months and two weeks, the outpatient department will have seen 6,204 patients. The emergency department will have seen 4,342 patients, and the specialty clinic will have seen 5,488 patients,” he said, highlighting the breadth of services provided to the community in a short period.
This impact is reinforced by the fact that the hospital offers a wide range of services free of charge.
As Dr. Ramnandan explained, the services have been instrumental in the lives of Guyanese across the region, with a growing number of residents taking advantage of them. “The residents of Region Three have an opportunity where healthcare is free. You can come and have your screening done. At this hospital, you can have your kidney function done free of cost, a urine analysis done free of cost, and an ultrasound done free of cost,” he said.
Highlighting the Ministry of Health’s healthcare voucher programme, he added, “The ministry also has a voucher programme where you can go to the private sector and have your kidney function done.” This initiative complements the hospital’s in-house services, allowing residents to access care more efficiently while encouraging early detection and intervention.
However, regional health officer, Dr. Hassan, noted that the Ministry of Health is committed to expanding the impact of these services further, particularly in dialysis care. “Today, as a nation, we have moved so far ahead that in a few months to come, dialysis services will be free throughout Guyana,” he said. Residents and patients of Region Three can look forward to expanded dialysis services and the establishment of a dedicated dialysis centre. “In Region Three, in the next month, dialysis services will be offered for inpatients at the De Kinderen Regional Hospital. And by the close of 2026, Region Three will have a dialysis centre free of cost at the Leonora Cottage Hospital.”
The expansion comes at a time when kidney disease remains a significant public health challenge in Guyana and worldwide, with the World Health Organization citing it as one of the rising causes of death internationally. Local experts note that many patients only discover kidney disease at advanced stages, often requiring dialysis or other intensive interventions. By providing both preventive screening and treatment services, the government of Guyana aims to reduce the burden of chronic kidney disease, improve patient outcomes, and enhance quality of life for residents living with the condition.
The World Kidney Day event also featured educational booths and interactive sessions designed to engage the public. Attendees were able to access information on chronic kidney disease and receive guidance on healthy lifestyle choices.
With the planned expansion of free dialysis services, the introduction of a dedicated dialysis centre in Leonora, and ongoing public education efforts, De Kinderen Regional Hospital continues to strengthen its role as a cornerstone of healthcare in Region Three, while the Ministry of Health continues its mandate of ensuring that kidney care is accessible, equitable, and responsive to the needs of Guyanese nationwide.
