Japan’s $158.2M healthcare enhancement project to reach 10,000 locals

An injection of $158.2 million in medical supplies for Guyana through the Japanese Government will see 13 hospitals benefitting

from enhanced services and most importantly, reaching 10,000 locals.
This forms part of a wider project geared at enhancing healthcare through medical supplies in Guyana, Belize, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. The Government of Japan would have allocated US$4.6 million, and tasked the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) to procure the supplies.
October 2021 marked the delivery of the first tranche, and Tuesday’s donation continued the fulfilment of the project. The sum set aside for Guyana was US$791,000, in which four ambulances, diagnostic digital model imaging units, ECG recorders, portable ultrasounds and other critical areas of need were satisfied.
Multi-Country Director at UNOPS, Alejandro Rossi noted, “UNOPS was able to expand the scope of the medical equipment procurement process based on savings obtained, which reverted to the beneficiaries of the donation. The people of Guyana…the savings obtained allowed to expand the procured items between May and June 2022. The Ministry will be receiving the last tranche of the equipment.”
He added, “At this stage, the objective of this project is mainly contributing to the efforts of Guyana in strengthening its health system through the provision of critical medical equipment for the care of patients affected by COVID-19.”
Meanwhile, Japanese Ambassador to Guyana, Tatsuo Hirayama shared that this successful collaboration will benefit scores of citizens who access services in the public sector. He said not only has Japan assisted individual countries, but agencies such as the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).
“We have successfully worked with the Government of Guyana to strengthen the healthcare systems…Since the start of the pandemic, the Government of Japan has mobilised various kinds of assistance as a demonstration of international solidarity. Japan remains one of the largest contributors to the COVAX facility, having committed US$1 billion to this initiative to support equitable global access to vaccines,” the diplomat underscored.
Guyana was tasked with identifying areas of need, and those items requested were procured. Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony told stakeholders that several areas are already benefitting from the items and vehicles donated.
“When we evaluated what the needs were, we felt that we needed ambulances to transport patients from various locations and more so, in the hinterland locations. That is why we chose ambulances that are off-road vehicles. They have been sent out to those regions where it would a big difference and a big impact. Those ambulances have started to work and have been working. They have already started providing services to a lot of people here in Guyana,” the Health Minister relayed.
Portable X-ray machines were requested to understand how the COVID variants were affecting lungs. The portable ultrasounds will be used when health teams visit communities for outreaches. Overall, the Minister expressed that this addition will enhance care for coronavirus patients.
“This allows when you have to go out on outreaches and so forth, to be able to use them in those settings. We have been able to get better imaging equipment to be able to make better diagnoses. We had also asked for pulse oximeters and these are a little bit sturdier than the ones that you get. We got these because it is important to understand the oxygen saturation of patients,” he detailed.
United Nations Resident Coordinator in Guyana, Ye?im Oruç said her agency is ensuring that countries are prepared for this health crisis and any that may arise in the future.
“COVID response has guided the United Nations efforts in the past two years…UNICEF has tried to step up to the challenge of first, responding to this international disaster by education in health sectors; and now trying to bring together all the assets of the United Nations including UNOPS in making sure we continue to keep the momentum on health sectors strengthening and capacity,” Oruç outlined.