Much anticipated $5B Universal Health Care Voucher programme launched

– can be used at over 49 accredited labs; to benefit 500,000 people

The much-anticipated Universal Health Care Voucher was launched on Saturday, with President Dr Irfaan Ali hailing the $5 billion initiative, targeting 500,000 persons, as one that will empower more Guyanese to get screened for potential illnesses, thus enabling them to access preventative healthcare if necessary.
At the ceremony, which was held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), President Ali announced that persons can go to any of over 49 accredited laboratories of their choosing, across Guyana, with their $10,000 Universal Health Care Voucher. The President went on to explain how the initiative will help improve healthcare delivery and to screen for non-communicable diseases (NCD).
“Almost every accredited lab or medical facility, will be providing this service. More than 49 across the country. So they can go to more than 49. All that are accredited are on this programme. And for those in the hinterland, there will be specific programmes worked out for the samples to be taken, so they can be supported, while we grow the capacity in some of these areas.”

“The healthcare system is shifting from a treatment-based system to a preventative-based healthcare system, focusing on early detection, vaccination programme, lifestyle choices, and policy intervention. And that is what this allows us to do. We can’t do any of that if we don’t have the data,” President Ali further explained.
It was also explained by the President that the Government of Guyana was able to negotiate massive discounts with these private laboratories for the services that will be covered by the voucher. He went on to laud the private sector for getting on board with and supporting this initiative.
“The vouchers that you see here, and the prices on the vouchers, there’s an added benefit. All of these prices would have in them, inherently, a 40 per cent to 70 per cent discount from what they originally were at the private lab and hospitals.”
“So, once you have this voucher, it’s not only about the $10,000. It’s about the 40 to 70 per cent discount on the services you will receive. And I want to applaud the private sector for their level of consciousness in supporting this initiative,” President Ali noted.
Meanwhile, the Director of the NCDs and Mental Health Programme, Dr Latchmie Lall, explained what the citizens can expect from the initiative. She also clarified that school health screenings will also be carried out with parental permission, as well as community outreaches that will ensure health care teams can reach remote areas.
“Citizens will receive their vouchers at health centres, hospitals and outreaches. These vouchers can be used at private clinics, labs and hospitals across the country. Once tested, results will be sent to physicians at the hospitals and health centres, who will guide patients on the next step of care.” “Testing results can also be picked up directly from providers as well. But we’re not stopping there. Special efforts are being made to reach remote communities and hinterland regions. Because no one should be left behind,” Dr Lall said.
During the launch, it was revealed that persons can be screened for a number of diseases including diabetes, anaemia, coronary heart disease, kidney and thyroid gland diseases, increased risk of prostate cancer and cholesterol.
It was only last week that the Government launched its $100,000 cash grant programme for each baby born to a Guyanese mother starting from January 01, 2025. And it has already distributed a one off $100,000 cash grant to over 495,000 adult Guyanese, in keeping with a promise made by President Ali last year.
Additionally, the administration offers $8,000 for all women between the ages of 21 to 55 years old to conduct cervical cancer screening, a spectacle voucher, a cash grant to each school student, and more.
There have also been increases in this year’s National Budget for old age pension, public assistance, the income tax threshold, and other measures geared towards increasing disposable income.