US$17.5 million to modernise Suddie, West Dem and Bartica hospitals

– from Indian credit line

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said in a statement that the Government of India recently approved a Line of Credit of approximately US$17.5 million to the Government of Guyana.

This money will see modernisation works being done to three primary health care institutions in Guyana; namely the Suddie Regional Hospital, the West Demerara Regional Hospital, and the Bartica District Hospital.

The Suddie Regional Hospital will receive almost US$8 million for the construction of a new ambulatory and in-patient centre and diagnostic care facility.

More than US$4.5 million will be used for the same purpose at West Demerara Regional Hospital, while the Bartica District Hospital would receive approximately US$3 million for expansion of the existing building and construction of a number of new structures in the compound. The projects are all expected to commence later this year.

Vanessa Dickenson, Director of the Department of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noted thus: “The signing of this agreement will pave the way for improving and upgrading the delivery of healthcare services in Guyana”.

Diplomatic relations between Guyana and India, established on May 26, 1966, have since been of mutual benefit to the two countries, including through the provision of official development assistance to Guyana from the Government of India and political support for India from Guyana.

The two countries are also cooperating in the areas of renewable energy technology, agriculture, and health and education, among other areas.

Presently ongoing projects in Guyana include the acquisition of an ocean-going ferry to service Region One (Barima/Waini) and development of the Centre of Excellence in Information Technology at the Turkeyen campus of the University of Guyana.