Opposition leader, Aubrey Norton has come in for criticism after he claimed that there has been little to no improvement in the nation’s healthcare system over the past five years. The Department of Public Information (DPI) has since strongly refuted recent statements made by Norton regarding the state of Guyana’s public health infrastructure, describing them as “false claims” that ignore substantial progress made under the current administration. Speaking at a public meeting in Bagotville on Saturday, Norton alleged that there has been little to no improvement in the sector. However, a DPI report has countered this assertion with a detailed overview of multi-billion-dollar investments and tangible results achieved in the sector since the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) returned to office in 2020.
The $6.6B Diamond Regional Hospital which was commissioned in June
According to the report, the Government has overseen unprecedented advancements in both infrastructure and human resource capacity within the health sector. Among the key developments is the commissioning of the $6.6 billion Diamond Regional Hospital, a project conceptualised and realised by the current administration.
Inside the recently-commissioned $6.6B Enmore Regional Hospital
Additionally, six new regional hospitals—costing approximately $38 billion—have been completed, all equipped with modern diagnostic services and staffed by trained personnel. Major facilities such as the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Lethem Regional Hospital, and Diamond Regional Hospital now offer services through mammogram machines, CT scanners, MRI machines, and operating theatres. Further investments have enabled mammogram machines to be installed at Suddie, New Amsterdam, and Linden hospitals—expanding breast cancer screening services to Regions Two, Six, and Ten, respectively. In total 400 health facilities were upgraded at a cost of $12.5 billion; 26 new health centres have been completed; two new nursing schools are under construction with an investment of $1.9 billion; three simulation centres are being built at a cost of $650 million. The report also highlighted major strides in human resource development, with 2024 seeing the largest graduating class from the Georgetown School of Nursing. Over 200 doctors have undergone specialisation training, and more than 100 new doctors are employed in the sector, with another 100 set to join in 2025. Additionally 390 community health workers have been deployed across the country; A recruitment drive is underway to employ over 6,000 health workers over the next three to five years. In terms of medical transportation, the Government has invested in 41 road ambulances; 64 all-terrain vehicles; 25 water transport units and other vehicles supporting emergency and routine health services. These enhancements have helped to maintain less than one per cent downtime for patient transport, backed by over $2.1 billion in medical evacuation spending. According to the DPI report, direct financial support to patients has also been a key focus, including $4.2 billion in cash payments for critical health services such as dialysis and cardiac care; $7.5 billion in vouchers for eye, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), and non-communicable disease screenings and $1.6 billion in grants for newborn care. The DPI report noted that during A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU) time in office, the health sector was plagued by underfunding and mismanagement, including the widely criticised $1.6 billion Sussex Street drug bond rental scandal and widespread drug shortages that led to protests by healthcare workers. Saturday’s remarks at Bagotville were not the first time Norton repeated these claims. At the APNU campaign launch on July 6, he similarly alleged a lack of infrastructure development—despite the coalition Government’s failure to build a single major hospital during its tenure. In contrast, the current administration has focused on expanding access to healthcare in remote areas while upskilling and incentivising health professionals to deliver quality care.
“The Government remains committed to delivering equitable and modern healthcare services to all Guyanese,” the DPI stated, calling on political leaders to refrain from misleading the public.
