$6.6B advanced tech, speciality care De Kinderen Hospital commissioned

…Pres Ali pledges salary increases for nurses, medical workers by year-end

In a major milestone for the healthcare sector in Region Three, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Monday officially opened a new $6.6 billion state-of-the-art hospital at De Kinderen on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD), making it the fourth major hospital delivered under his administration.

President Ali emphasised that the De Kinderen facility is not just a building, but also stands as a symbol of his administration’s larger vision to create a comprehensive and modern healthcare ecosystem across Guyana.
“Our mission is to build a healthcare system that will serve all the needs of our people,” President Ali said. “We are going the full journey to give you modern healthcare and the best world class healthcare for you, your children and all the people of Guyana.” The hospital features specialised care units including an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with three beds, a High Dependency Unit (HDU) with two beds, a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) 24-hour emergency and imaging services, including CT scans, MRI, and digital X-ray and includes four operating theatres. This marks the first public sector hospital in Region Three to offer CT scan services. It also houses a wide range of speciality clinics such as paediatric, internal medicine, cardiology, dentistry, ophthalmology, and surgery.
President Ali emphasised that the hospital at De Kinderen is part of a broader transformation in the health sector, one that goes beyond infrastructure and includes investment in human capital, digital health systems and proactive care models.
“You’ve trusted this Government with your children’s future and this Government has delivered.” he said. “We are pleased to deliver to you yet another commitment of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government. A commitment above and beyond what we planned.”
He outlined plans for additional hospitals across the country, including the ongoing renovations at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) which will upgrade that hospital to a Level Five hospital at West Demerara. The President also noted the construction being done on hospitals in Wakenaam and Leguan islands.
“We are looking at a comprehensive strategy for the development of our healthcare system,” President Ali said. “The future of the healthcare system is beyond doctors and structures. It’s about building a healthcare ecosystem that will make Guyana a hub for global healthcare services.”
President Ali noted that in addition to building out the infrastructure of the health care sector, the Government is also zoning in on data-driven interventions and preventative care.
“The healthcare system for tomorrow is about proactive policing,” he said. “It is not about waiting for you to feel sick and come to the hospital. A healthcare system that is transformational is one that reaches the people, one that avoids hospitalisation.”
According to Ali, the Government will be looking to deploy primary health posts in every community within the next year to provide basic health monitoring, such as blood sugar and blood pressure checks. The Government is also investing in a national health information system to enable seamless digital transfers between hospitals, and integrate patient data with national digital ID cards.
The President also highlighted Government’s ongoing efforts to train and employ thousands of new medical professionals to ensure that the necessary human resources to run the facilities are provided for.
“We are living in a future in a country in which I can say safely, we will make Guyana the hub for healthcare provision, pharmaceuticals manufacturing and the best training in the region,” President Ali said.

Salary increases
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to enhancing the salaries, welfare and working conditions of nurses and other medical personnel, noting that the final phase of salary adjustments will be implemented before year’s end.
Addressing healthcare staff, Ali reminded them that the first phase, which included revisions to salary scales alongside previous increases, had already been completed.
Underscoring his Government’s track record of delivering on promises, Ali added, “And you know when we say we will do it, it will be done, just ask our Police officers.”
Also delivering remarks at the opening ceremony, Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, described the new hospital as a landmark for Region Three and the entire nation.
“Today is a proud, historic moment, not only for the people of Region Three, but also all of Guyana,” Dr Anthony stated. “This hospital is a symbol of progress. This hospital represents the modernisation of our health sector in Region Three. It tells Region Three that quality healthcare is your right. It also says to you that you do not have to travel far distances to get essential medical services. It means right here in your community we will be saving quite a number of lives.”