Guyana eyes production of peritoneal dialysis supplies for local, regional markets

As the Government works on building a modern healthcare sector, the country is aiming to produce syringes, saline and fluids used in peritoneal dialysis to supply local and regional markets.
President Dr Irfaan Ali recently disclosed that “we have thrown out a challenge to the Private Sector that with an investment of between US$15-$20 million, we can establish a facility in Guyana for all the fluids, including the peritoneal fluids and what we commonly call saline, so that we can produce it right here in Guyana for here and the rest of the Caribbean”.
Currently, Guyana spends millions annually on fluids to treat 25 kidney failure patients who receive peritoneal dialysis.
Peritoneal dialysis (PD) and haemodialysis (HD) are both forms of dialysis used to treat kidney failure, but they differ significantly in their approach. In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of the body, passed through a machine that filters waste and excess fluid, and then returned to the body, whereas with peritoneal dialysis, a special fluid (dialysate) is infused into the abdominal cavity, where it absorbs waste and excess fluid from the blood; after a set time, the dialysate is drained out of the body.
“We’re spending on those 25 patients alone – on the fluids $150 million annually,” President Ali pointed out.
In this regard, the Head of State emphasised the significance of building out a biopharma industry in Guyana. In fact, he said talks have already commenced on the possibility of establishing a syringe plant in the country. “…to service the entire CELAC region, that is what we are talking about, that is what we’d be co-investing in with the Private Sector so that not only are we providing healthcare, but we are providing first world opportunity for our human resources in Guyana”.
When these facilities are established and in operation, the President emphasised that they would create opportunities for higher-level jobs for locals.
Over the years, Guyana has been working to expand its pharmaceutical and medical supplies production capacity, with key support from the European Union.
In 2022, Guyana, Barbados, and Rwanda launched the Pharmaceutical Equity for Global Public Health initiative which aims to ensure equitable access to essential medicines and vaccines by strengthening local production and reducing dependence on external supply chains.
Under the Global Gateway, the EU is already providing vital technical expertise in partnership with the Lithuanian regulatory agency, to help Guyana strengthen its regulatory environment, ensuring that the country’s pharma sector can meet international standards and attract global investors.
The EU will also support Guyana’s vision to set up a biopark — a Global Gateway project aimed at fostering innovation and creating a sustainable ecosystem for the local health and pharmaceutical sectors in partnership with the award-winning biopark of Charleroi (Belgium).
The biopark will act as a catalyst for local and international investment, bringing together companies, research institutions, and healthcare innovators to drive forward cutting-edge solutions.
Guyana is also working with India to produce vaccines for livestock, for the local and regional markets.