President Irfaan Ali on Friday commissioned the $6.6 billion Lima Regional Hospital in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), the first state-of-the-art health facility for the region, which, he said, will deliver modern healthcare services to residents and mark a major step in transforming the public health system.
The modern facility is outfitted with three modern surgical theatres, a specialised birthing suite, a High Dependency Unit (HDU), and an additional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
It also houses a dedicated dialysis section, a blood bank facility, and a modern laboratory capable of conducting more than 150 tests.
Patients will benefit from a 24-hour pharmacy and a fully equipped Accident and Emergency Department; 75 inpatient beds arranged in rooms of five, each with its own bathroom, air-conditioning, and nurse-call systems; while advanced imaging services, including CT scans and ultrasounds, are now available for the first time on the Essequibo Coast.
In addition, the hospital offers dedicated dental, ophthalmology, and audiology departments, ensuring comprehensive healthcare under one roof.
For the first time on the Essequibo Coast, the hospital also has its own oxygen plant, ensuring a reliable supply to the facility. Other amenities include a canteen, laundry, sterilisation unit, and mortuary.
Future of Healthcare
Speaking at the historic commissioning, President Irfaan Ali described the hospital as “another instalment in our health revolution”, one that will transform not only the delivery of services in Region Two but also the entire health ecosystem in Guyana.
“This afternoon, we are making a statement about the future of healthcare in Essequibo. We are declaring that we have chosen transformation,” President Ali said, while congratulating Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony, the medical staff, and the people of Region Two for what he called an “amazing addition to your health infrastructure.”
The Head of State explained that the decision to build a new hospital rather than upgrade existing ones was a deliberate choice to ensure a “quantum leap in healthcare”. He underscored that modern services cannot be fitted into outdated structures.
“Just as you cannot fit modern engines into donkey carts, you cannot fit 21st-century medicine into 20th-century buildings,” he explained.
President Ali also outlined the three dimensions of the Government’s healthcare transformation: digitisation of medical records, expansion of telemedicine, and decentralisation of specialist services.
“No more fumbling through cabinets of index cards,” he said, pointing to plans for digital patient records.
He explained that with telemedicine, test results from Essequibo could be read by doctors in Georgetown or even internationally, eliminating geography as a barrier to quality care.
Further, he stressed that Lima Regional Hospital and others being built across the country will expand the range of services, reducing referrals to Georgetown Public Hospital.
President Ali also committed to introducing robotic surgery in Guyana within the next few years, noting that doctors will soon operate in an environment “second to none”.
While the hospital represents advanced tertiary care, the Head of State reminded us that primary healthcare remains the frontline.
He announced major investments in community-level testing at the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) level to allow residents to check sugar levels, blood pressure, and other indicators, helping to prevent serious illnesses before they reach hospitals.
Human resources
Ultimately, President Ali reminded us that while the Lima Hospital is outfitted with cutting-edge equipment, it is people who make a hospital come alive.
“A hospital is not the physical structure. It is not scanners and machines. A hospital is about the people…doctors, nurses, technicians, support staff… the men and women who turn machines into miracles and walls into sanctuaries of healing,” he said, adding that their work will always be recognised and honoured.
He also thanked the family of the late Rupan Ramathar for facilitating the land transfer to the Government that made the project possible, as well as the Chinese Government and contractors for their support in delivering the project on schedule.
President Ali declared that the Lima Regional Hospital is not just a building but a symbol of Guyana’s choice to transform its healthcare system.
“Let our children look back and say, ‘Here was the moment Guyana chose transformation. Here was the moment we stopped patching and started building’,” he said.
Promise fulfilled
Also speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony said that the hospital’s commissioning represents “more than an unveiling of a new building.”
“It embodies a promise that has been fulfilled. It is a symbol of equity and a concrete step in the journey towards a world-class healthcare system made accessible to all Guyanese,” he declared.
He credited the leadership of President Irfaan Ali, noting that the Head of State has been unwavering in his belief that quality healthcare must be a right for every citizen and not a privilege for a select few.
The Minister reminded them that for decades, residents of Region Two relied primarily on the Suddie Hospital, which was plagued by challenges such as open wards, outdated facilities, and the absence of critical diagnostic equipment. Patients in need of advanced services often had to travel to Georgetown.
Since assuming office, Dr Anthony said the PPP/C Government began modernising healthcare delivery in the region.
This included introducing a Siemens digital X-ray machine, a mammography unit (the first on the Essequibo Coast), dialysis services in collaboration with NGOs, and a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Suddie.
Charity Hospital was also upgraded with plans for a new X-ray system.
“These were important firsts for the coast, but President Ali wanted to ensure that the people of Essequibo had a brand-new hospital, purpose-built to deliver world-class care. That is what we are here to open today,” Minister Anthony noted.
Dr Anthony emphasised that beyond its facilities, the hospital is staffed with trained specialists across departments, supported by nurses, patient-care assistants, and laboratory technicians.
“This hospital has created jobs during its construction and will continue to provide employment for hundreds of people in the region. Most importantly, it gives families the comfort of knowing that when the worst happens, they are very close to care,” he said.
“Today, as we cut this ribbon, we are bringing equity, opportunity, and dignity in healthcare for all the people of the Essequibo Coast,” Dr Anthony asserted.
Also attending the commissioning ceremony were Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva, Regional Health Officer Ranjeev Singh, Regional Executive Officer Susana Saywack, a representative from the Ministry of Health, a representative from the Chinese ambassador, and other special guests and regional officials.
