Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has dismissed concerns about the shortage of healthcare workers as a reason to halt the government’s ambitious hospital construction program. Speaking at a press conference last week, Jagdeo emphasized that expanding health infrastructure is critical to improving access to quality care for all Guyanese, regardless of staffing challenges.
The government is set to commission six new hospitals by the end of this year, part of a larger plan to construct and operationalize 12 state-of-the-art facilities by 2028. These hospitals will feature advanced imaging services, including CT scans, 24-hour emergency units, and modern surgical theatres. Jagdeo acknowledged that staffing these institutions will be challenging but stressed that the government is committed to finding solutions.
“We cannot stop building hospitals because we don’t have enough nurses or technicians right now,” Jagdeo said. “The President has made it clear: recruit from anywhere in the world if necessary. We want our people to have access to the best healthcare services when these hospitals come online.”
To address the shortage, the government has launched training programs for local healthcare workers and technicians. However, Jagdeo admitted that these efforts alone may not meet immediate demand. As a result, international recruitment has been prioritized to ensure the new facilities are fully operational upon completion.
Jagdeo also highlighted ongoing upgrades to existing hospitals, including a $30 million rehabilitation project at Linden and similar initiatives in Bartica and other regions. He argued that modernizing health infrastructure is essential for delivering world-class care and addressing long-standing disparities in access across urban and rural areas.
Despite criticism from some quarters about the feasibility of staffing these new facilities, Jagdeo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming Guyana’s healthcare system into one that meets international standards. “This is not about PPP or APNU or AFC politics—it’s about ensuring every citizen can walk into a hospital and receive the best care possible,” he stated.
With six hospitals set to open this year and more on the horizon, Guyana’s leaders are betting on infrastructure as the foundation for healthcare reform. While staffing remains a challenge, Jagdeo insists it is not an obstacle to progress but rather an opportunity to innovate and collaborate globally in pursuit of better health outcomes for all citizens.
