New equipment, personnel expansion boost GPHC Pathology Dept

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s (GPHC) Pathology Department has been boosted with the recent acquisition of a state-of-the-art microtome machine, and an advanced auto tissue processor which will fast-track its services.
These two innovative technologies have allowed the department to revolutionise sample processing, reducing the turnaround time from over 30 days to seven days.
On Tuesday, the GPHC, in a statement, said: “These cutting-edge additions represent a remarkable leap in the efficiency and accuracy of sample processing, enabling our esteemed team of Pathologists to provide rapid and precise diagnoses. The quicker turnaround time translates to expedited diagnosis, patient care, and ultimately enhances our ability to serve the community with the highest standard of medical excellence.”
Additionally, the hospital, in its statement, noted that a new lab manager and an additional pathologist have been appointed, further strengthening the department’s expertise and capacity to handle a higher volume of cases effectively.
In tandem with the personnel expansion, the department also underwent a complete restructuring, streamlining workflows and optimizing resource allocation, the statement read, adding that the implementation of training programs conducted in collaboration with the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has ensured that its staff is equipped with the latest best practices and knowledge in the field.
Chief Executive Officer of GPHC, Robbie Rambarran, in expressing his enthusiasm for the ongoing efforts to expand the department’s scope and improve overall efficiency, said: “Our commitment to advancing patient care is unwavering. We are continuously exploring avenues for further engagement and advancements in technology, to achieve greater efficiency and expand our services.”
Recently, the Government announced the opening of a modern pathology lab in November 2023, to reduce the waiting time for certain diagnoses. The laboratory is a collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the Mount Sinai Health System.
Advisor to the Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, made the disclosure during a recent episode of “The Guyana Dialogue”.
“This will have equipment that we procured at about close to US$3 million, and fully automated pathology labs that will allow us to prepare all of our specimens right here in Guyana. We don’t have to send them anywhere, and will allow us to access the expertise of pathologists around the world,” Dr Ramsammy disclosed.
To complement this, four health personnel will shortly be sent for training in pathology at Mount Sinai, the health adviser stated.
According to Dr Ramsammy, “They would be able to view the specimens and view slides, view tissues using the remote technology that we have introduced. And so, some of the constraints of not having people physically here are overcome by using technology,” Ramsammy is quoted as saying in a DPI report.
Meanwhile, the Government is collaborating with Mount Sinai and Hess Corporation to transform Guyana’s healthcare into a world-class service that is second to none, and will ensure accessibility and affordability for citizens locally and across the Caribbean.