Foundational work underway for new West Demerara Regional Hospital

Construction of the new West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) has officially moved into its foundational phase, with crews now completing major ground works before the project advances into full structural development. According to Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, the new facility – being constructed at Vreed-en-Hoop – will become one of the most advanced hospitals in the country, surpassing the capabilities of all six modern regional hospitals currently being rolled out. It is expected to feature full MRI, CT scan and Cardiac Catheterisation lab.

Dr Anthony said the upgraded institution will significantly strengthen diagnostic and speciality care on the West Coast, reducing the need for patients to travel to Georgetown for advanced services. “We are at the stage now where they are doing foundational works. And after that, they’ll start putting up the infrastructure,” he explained. He noted that the new complex will be substantially larger than the six newly built regional hospitals. “This is going to be larger than the six hospitals that we have built,” the Minister said. “In addition to things like CT scans, one of the things that we are putting there is an MRI.”
The hospital will also feature a catheterisation lab – a first for the region – designed to support cardiac interventions. “We are improving the diagnostic suite of the hospital,” Dr Anthony added. “We are also adding a CAT lab in that hospital, so persons who would need cardiac surgery do not necessarily have to come to Georgetown. There will be a wider range of services offered by the hospital.”
Valued at $11.4 billion, the new WDRH is expected to be completed by 2028. The state-of-the-art structure will replace the old West Demerara Hospital and deliver expanded medical care to thousands of residents along the West Bank and West Coast Demerara. The modern facility will include: 150-bed capacity, four operating theatres Full MRI and CT scan services, a cardiac catheterisation lab Enhanced diagnostic and emergency capabilities, a new integrated health and patient management system. Once completed, the hospital is expected to significantly decentralise specialised healthcare and improve access to advanced treatment for communities along the western corridor.