Several medical accreditation reforms at GPHC planned for 2026 – CEO

Building on the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s (GPHC) latest international certification milestone, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Robbie Rambarran has announced plans to streamline multiple medical accreditations across key departments by 2026 as part of a broader push to strengthen diagnostic accuracy, patient safety, and institutional excellence. Dr Rambarran made the disclosure during remarks at the achievement ceremony for the GPHC Pathology Laboratory’s ISO 15189 Plus accreditation, describing the certification as both a validation of current standards and a launchpad for further reforms.
“The new mandate is by June 2026; the medical laboratory should have its accreditation,” the CEO said. “And by the end of next year, we will congregate for the accreditation of the medical imaging department.” According to Dr Rambarran, accreditation of the medical imaging and radiology department has been strategically timed to coincide with major infrastructure upgrades currently under way at the hospital. “I give radiology till the end of the year because we are currently doing some construction to have new modalities, like another X-ray machine, a CT scan and another cath lab,” he explained. “We will also have advanced mammogram machines, so all of that will be in the whole package to achieving that.”
He noted that these upgrades are essential to meeting international accreditation standards, which require not only qualified personnel but also modern, reliable equipment and standardised clinical environments.

Boosting trust in diagnostic services
Dr Rambarran emphasised that in a clinical environment where diagnostic accuracy drives medical decisions, international accreditation plays a critical role in reinforcing public trust. He added that ISO certification is not merely symbolic but a rigorous process involving documentation, audits, method validation and accountability mechanisms that directly improve patient outcomes. “This accreditation will reinforce trust in our laboratory services,” he said. “It strengthens our position as a trusted healthcare provider and reflects our investment in advanced diagnostic equipment, skilled personnel and continuous improvement.”
As Guyana’s premier referral and teaching hospital, Dr Rambarran said the achievement holds special importance for medical education and training at GPHC.
He said the certification reflects the institution’s commitment not only to service delivery but also to education and research, ensuring that future healthcare professionals are trained in line with global best practices.
“As we all know, Georgetown Hospital is a teaching hospital,” he noted. “This accreditation is particularly significant, as it ensures our students, our residents, our trainees learn and practise in an environment that adheres to internationally recognised standards of accuracy, safety, and ethics.” Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony detailed an ambitious pipeline of laboratory development across the country. These include the rollout of electronic laboratory management systems, new pathology services nationwide, and the creation of a sample transport network linking laboratories to ensure safe, contamination-free transfers.
“We are going to be connecting all our existing labs with an electronic management system,” he said. “From next year, we’ll start building that system out so it connects laboratories across the country.” Dr Anthony also announced progress on several major infrastructure projects, including a new forensic laboratory, designed to serve as a regional teaching and reference facility, and a food and drug laboratory, which is already under construction and expected to be completed within the next 18 months. In addition, Guyana is preparing to construct its first Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory, which will allow for the safe handling and study of live pathogens. “If we want to know what types of pathogens are circulating in the country, we need to create these types of facilities,” the Minister said, noting that financing has already been secured and construction is expected to begin next year.