The Government of Guyana is embarking on an ambitious healthcare infrastructure expansion, with plans to construct and operationalize 12 state-of-the-art regional hospitals by 2028. This massive undertaking, announced by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, aims to deliver world-class healthcare services across eight regions of the country.

Key Developments

• Six hospitals to be commissioned in 2025:
  1. Lima (Region Two)
  2. De Kinderen (Region Three)
  3. Enmore (Region Four)
  4. Diamond (Region Four)
  5. Bath (Region Five)
  6. No. 75 (Region Six)
• Additional facilities planned:
  • New Amsterdam Hospital (2026)
  • Paediatric and Maternal Hospital at Goedverwagting (2026)
  • Moruca Regional Hospital (2027)
  • Kato Regional Hospital (2027)
  • Lethem Regional Hospital (2027)
  • West Demerara Hospital (2028)

West Demerara Hospital Project

The latest addition to this healthcare revolution is the $11.4 billion (US$54 million) West Demerara Hospital, for which the sod was turned on February 15, 2025. Key features include:

• Over 150 beds
• Four operating theatres
• Accident and Emergency Unit
• Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
• Maternity and delivery ward
• Pediatric ICU ward
• Neonatal ICU services
• Advanced diagnostic equipment (CT scan, MRI, mammography)
• Catheterization laboratory for heart procedures

Comprehensive Healthcare Services

These new facilities will offer a wide range of services, including:

• 24-hour Accident and Emergency care
• 24-hour laboratory services
• Advanced imaging services (ultrasound, digital X-Ray, CT scans)
• Specialized clinics (endoscopy, ENT, dermatology, ophthalmology)
• Internal medicine
• Dialysis
• Cardiology services

Additional Healthcare Initiatives

• Construction of a Stroke Rehabilitation Centre and an Oncology Centre to begin in 2025
• Expansion of telemedicine services (currently 84 sites)
• Ongoing training programs for healthcare professionals (over 3,700 trained, 3,500 in training)
• Implementation of an integrated health and patient management system through digital health and digitization

Investment and Funding

The government has allocated $143.2 billion for the health sector in the 2025 budget, with specific allocations including:

• $28.1 billion for completing public health facilities
• $2.9 billion for specialized medical facilities
• $6.5 billion for upgrading existing health facilities and staff housing

Impact and Future Outlook

This massive investment in healthcare infrastructure is expected to:

• Reduce the need for patients to travel long distances for quality care
• Enhance Guyana’s capacity to provide specialized medical services
• Position Guyana as a major hub for modern healthcare services in the region
• Improve healthcare access in remote and underserved areas

As these projects come to fruition, Guyana is poised to transform its healthcare landscape, providing citizens with access to modern, efficient, and reliable medical services across the country