Significant advances recorded in health sector despite current challenges

The Ministry of Health is reporting major advancements in nationwide healthcare delivery, even as the sector continues to confront longstanding and emerging challenges. This affirmation came on Tuesday as Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony participated in a high-level Joint Stakeholder Consultation on Health and Wellbeing held at the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) office in Georgetown.

The consultation brought together key national and international partners, including officials from government ministries, regional health authorities, hospitals, health centres, and global agencies such as United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and UN Women. The meeting forms part of the United Nations’ ongoing development of the Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (MSDCF) for the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean for 2027–2031. This framework will guide future UN–Government of Guyana cooperation, with health and wellbeing expected to remain a central priority.
Delivering remarks at the forum, Minister Anthony reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to building a stronger, more resilient health system through both infrastructure expansion and innovative public health initiatives. “Our work in health and wellbeing is about more than treating illness – it’s about prevention, early detection, and creating a system that supports the long-term wellness of all Guyanese,” he said.

Substantial 3-year progress
The Minister detailed substantial progress achieved over the past three years, crediting investments that have significantly expanded access to healthcare. These include the opening of six new regional hospitals and the ongoing construction of eight additional modern facilities, among them paediatric and specialised hospitals. Twenty-five new health centres have been established nationwide, with ten more now under construction. The Ministry is also expanding health posts in underserved communities to ensure equitable access to primary care services.
Minister Anthony highlighted several key programmes aimed at improving prevention and wellness outcomes. Strengthened maternal and child health services, expanded immunisation coverage supported by UNICEF, and enhanced school health screenings covering nearly 70,000 nursery and primary school children are among the flagship initiatives currently underway. The Ministry is also intensifying its response to chronic non-communicable diseases, nutrition challenges, lifestyle-related health risks, and mental health concerns.
In addition, the Minister outlined continuing national efforts to control and eliminate major infectious diseases, including HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, filaria, and other neglected infections. He noted that these programmes benefit significantly from close collaboration with international partners.
“The engagement of national and international stakeholders in consultations like these allows us to align priorities, share lessons learned, and plan future interventions that are evidence-based and contextually relevant. Together, we can shape a healthier future for Guyana,” Dr Anthony said.
Human resource development remains a critical area of focus, with ongoing training initiatives for nurses, doctors, administrators, and technicians carried out in partnership with PAHO and other organisations. These efforts are designed to strengthen the healthcare workforce and support the sector’s rapid expansion.
Tuesday’s consultation provided a key platform for stakeholders to examine existing gaps, emerging opportunities, and sector-wide priorities, ensuring that the upcoming UN Cooperation Framework reflects shared national goals. The Ministry says it remains committed to reinforcing partnerships that advance health and wellbeing for all Guyanese.