Automated systems at airports, ports of entry now functional – Pres Ali

…travelers can now skip long immigration lines

The automated border management system the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government had planned to implement across the country, is up and running, with President Dr Irfaan Ali announcing that persons can now fill up their immigration forms using this electronic platform.
President Ali made the announcement on Tuesday, during the signing of the National Health Care Initiative agreement, in collaboration with Mount Sinai Health System and Hess Corporation.
“Earlier this year, I said to the country that before the end of February or January, you will have the electronic system, border system, up and running at the airport. And you will have an electronic platform to fill up your immigration form. And as usual, there were the doubting Thomases in the country. I’m pleased to say that we have delivered that,” the President said.

In February of this year, Deputy Chief Immigration Officer (DCIO), Superintendent Stephen Telford had announced during an interview with Radio Eve Leary that they were working on deploying the automated system at all key entry points.
At the time, the automated system was only being used at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). Previously passengers were required to fill out printed forms upon arrival, a task that often causes delays and frustration.
With the new system, travelers can complete these forms in advance, with the information being shared directly with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). And instead of waiting in long lines to be processed by an immigration officer, travelers can now simply swipe their ID Cards or passports and proceed.
This not only speeds up the entry process, but also reduces congestion at the airport, enhancing the overall passenger experience. This integration of digital systems reduces the likelihood of errors, speeds up customs processing, and ensures better tracking of goods entering the country.

Health app
Pivoting to health, the President also announced on Tuesday the upcoming launch of an electronic mobile app that will allow patients to not only schedule appointments to see doctors at Georgetown or any regional hospital, but also receive health updates.
“In the next seven months, we will have in the Georgetown hospital for sure and all the other regional hospitals, including West Dem, Linden, New Amsterdam, Lethem and all the new regional hospitals under construction. In seven months, we will have the electronic mobile app, through which patients can schedule their appointments at these hospitals.”

“Health updates will be on your mobile phone. And your reminder on your medication, will be available on your mobile phones. In seven months, we’ll deliver that to the people of Guyana. That’s how fast and comprehensive they’re working,” President Ali further announced.
The announcement would follow the theme of the PPP/C Government’s efforts to digitise healthcare. As a matter of fact, more than 250 Guyanese are expected to be trained as Health Informational Systems and Technology (HIST) technicians, to implement, manage and maintain a national Electronic Health Record (EHR) system.
The EHR is a comprehensive collection of a patients’ health history within the healthcare system. Phase one of the project will begin at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and its satellite clinics. After successful implementation, the EHR system will extend to other health institutions across Guyana.
Guyana’s healthcare sector is undergoing significant improvements, with the Government leveraging technology to digitise medical records. The Ministry of Health has contracted the United Kingdom (UK)-based company RioMed Limited, at a cost of US$3.3 million, to design, supply, and install the electronic records system.
Only a few weeks ago, the national HIST Workforce Development Programme was launched, as a collaboration between the Ministry of Health and United States (US)-based Mount Sinai, with funding by the US$100 million Greater Guyana Initiative (GGI), to train a cohort of local digital health technicians.