…looking at medical tourism hospital at Silica City
Guyana is poised to make another giant leap in healthcare transformation with the Government confirming that it has received a proposal for the establishment of a Poison Prevention Centre (Control Centre) and a world-class hospital focused on medical tourism within the futuristic New Silica City development.
President Dr Irfaan Ali made the announcement during his feature address at the commissioning of the $6.6 billion Diamond Regional Hospital on Sunday.
“We are not only concerned about a beautiful structure and architecture; we are concerned also about the service we deliver to the people…We’re currently developing a regional centre to prevent poisoning, and already we have a proposal for a world-class branded hospital that will be focusing on medical tourism in New Silica City,” the President confirmed.
President Dr Irfaan Ali addressing gathering at the commissioning of the $6.6 billion Diamond Regional Hospital on Sunday
Conceived in 2009 and located on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, Silica City will be Guyana’s first modern, sustainable city, envisioned that over the next two decades, this new secondary city would grow to hold more than 12,500 households.
It would initially cater to just over 3000 households in the first five years, all of whom will enjoy access to high-end developments including smart homes with the newest energy-saving technologies.
In addition to promoting biodiversity, Silica City is now poised to house ambitious technology-driven healthcare initiatives, including a Poison Prevention Centre (Control Centre) and world-class hospital focused on medical tourism.
The Poison Control Centre will play a critical role in providing immediate, free and expert treatment, advice and assistance in the prevention, diagnosis and management of poisoning.
The proposed developments according to President Ali will position Guyana at the forefront of global health service delivery while ensuring that citizens across all regions benefit from equitable access to care.
The Guyanese Leader also revealed that the proposed hospital in Silica City would integrate cutting-edge technologies, with an emphasis on attracting international patients and high-skilled specialists.
On this point, he disclosed that these health infrastructure investments are part of a broader strategy that includes the deployment of robotic surgery, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-assisted diagnostic imaging, interconnected international lab networks, and digital pharmacy and medical supply systems.
“Outside of these investments, we have major investment already in the pipeline for Region Seven, Region Nine, Region Eight. All of these investments are geared towards ensuring equitable level of service for citizens all across our country. And to support the transformation, we have a whole digital health plan, digital health including the electronic health record system, the e-prescribing pharmacy, the digitisation of the pharmaceuticals and medical supplies warehousing and distribution system. Work already started. The proposal would have already been received. Introduction of robotic surgery, the Vinci robots. These are not things we are dreaming about. These are things already in the pipeline,” the Head of State revealed.
Aside from the Poison Prevention Centre earmarked for Silica City, the President further highlighted the country’s movement toward becoming a regional hub for medical innovation, as he announces plans for a Caribbean Biobank, Caribbean Gene Bank, and the Guyana Eye Bank—all of which are in development—as well as a suite of European Union (EU)-supported life sciences initiatives.
“We’re investing in a series of life sciences hub assisted by the EU, the establishment of the EU-Guyana-Barbados grand partnership that is going to build the ecosystem to support the biopharma industry here, the development of the Caribbean Centre for Manufacturing of Diagnostics, Therapeutic and Vaccines, the development of the Biomedical Research Centre, the development of an incubator ecosystem for startups, the development of a mechanism to fund startups. All of these are things that are going to support this transformation in healthcare system,” he added.
