Contracts for construction of 6 major hospitals to be signed within weeks – Pres Ali

Continued development in the health sector will see the contract signing for six new regional hospitals within the coming weeks, in the Government’s bid to elevate public health care for all Guyanese.

In his Independence Day address to Guyana on Wednesday evening, President Dr Irfaan Ali announced his slew of plans for the health system. This project, which will cover six modernised regional facilities, is part of a US$180 million project.
“Within weeks, we will sign the contract for six major regional hospitals – 65,000 square feet each. One will be right here on the Essequibo Coast. Collectively, these six hospitals will cost us approximately US$180 million.
“In advancing the health and well-being of our population, we have promised to deliver a world-class health system. We have embarked on this journey with great vigour to design and implement a plan that will deliver such result. We have already put in place several projects that will improve access to quality health care for the people of our country,” said the Head of State.
Government is also on the verge of signing another contract valued at US$170 million for a national maternal and childcare hospital, bringing modernised health care for mothers and children.
“We’re working with the best in the business, the finest in global healthcare and yes, we have recognised that we must fix the systems that are broken,” Dr Ali said.
Works will be done on four major tele-diagnostic centres in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), upgrading them to regional hospitals.
The Head of State has hinted at a plan to fix the procurement system within the healthcare sector, in ensuring greater accountability. External funding agencies are being engaged to upgrade protocols and management of the Georgetown, West Demerara, Bartica and Linden hospitals.
“We cannot only invest in the facility and infrastructure. We’re also investing in the human resources…Those that the healthcare system is entrusted in, they must be accountable for the services they deliver and that is part of the plan.
“We have a plan to train and recruit a large number of healthcare professionals in the next few years to deliver not just health service but the finest, world-class health service to the people of Guyana. This is what we’re investing in: world-class educational services and world-class health services,” Dr Ali stated.
As the Cinderella county prepared for the ushering in of the country’s 56th Independence Day anniversary, the President acknowledged that citizens would like fast-paced development. However, in the challenging global environment, he assured that his Administration has surpassed its manifesto plans for the country.
“We know there are gaps. We know there’s still a lot to be done; that you want us to move at a faster pace, that you want more. But we know within the constraints globally and regionally, that we have been delivering for you in advance and ahead of the manifesto pledges,” he noted.
For the year 2022, Government plans on injecting a whopping $73 billion into the healthcare sector. This was an enormous increase from the $53.5 billion in 2021. From this figure, $1 billion was set aside for upgrades to health centres and an additional $2 billion for medical and non-medical equipment.
There are several larger projects on the Ali-led Administration’s agenda, geared at decentralising health care and enabling easier access for Guyanese.  A major initiative is the construction of a new $2 billion multi-specialty hospital at Suddie, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).
Meanwhile, the smart hospital project is in its final stage, linking structural and operational safety and disaster resilience, while maintaining a “green” status in operations. Hospitals at Diamond, Leonora, Mabaruma, Paramakatoi, and Lethem were upgraded under this project. The project falls under an $835 million grant funded by the former United Kingdom Department for International Development and implemented by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO).
Funded through a grant from the Indian Government, upgrades to the West Demerara Regional Hospital in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Suddie Hospital in Region Two and Bartica Hospital in Region Seven will also materialise.