The sod was turned on Sunday for the construction of a modern, state-of-the-art regional hospital in Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), representing a historic investment of over $6.5 billion in the region. This marks a major step forward in the government’s commitment to elevating healthcare standards across the country.
In his address at the ceremony, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali emphasized the significance of this project in fulfilling his government’s mandate to provide not only access to essential services but also to ensure these services are of the highest quality. The new hospital, he stated, will be fully equipped to achieve this vision with features such as two fully functional operating rooms, a modern emergency room, diagnostic imaging services, and specialized outpatient clinics.
“What more can we do to demonstrate that we love you, care about you, and want the best for each and every one of you?” the president asked, underscoring the government’s commitment to the people of Region Nine.
President Ali highlighted that over the last four years, nearly $8 billion has been invested in Region Nine’s healthcare system. He noted that this level of investment is rare, even in many developed countries, where similar regions with small populations would not receive such significant resources. “What this tells you,” he explained, “is that geographic location or size of the population is not the bar in which we place our development. It is quality of life and making meaningful changes for every single citizen.”
The president also celebrated key accomplishments in the region’s healthcare, including the drastic reduction in patient referral rates to Georgetown and Boa Vista hospitals, now down to 2.7% and 3.7%, respectively, from over 20%. The government’s efforts to enhance regional connectivity were also praised, with 13 ATVs, 6 ambulances, 5 SUVs, and other vehicles now linking health centers and the main hospital more effectively. “This does not only mean better healthcare delivery here, but think about the reduction in the cost for medevacs. Everything is integrated,” President Ali noted.
Beyond healthcare, the government is investing in education as well, with sod-turning for a new school in Tabatinga. President Ali emphasized the vital interconnection between healthcare and education, explaining, “If the healthcare system is not strong, you can’t support healthy children in the school system. If we don’t have healthy children in the school system, we can’t support students who will come out of the system to function in the healthcare system and others in the economy.”
Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, echoed the president’s sentiments, noting the remarkable transformation of Region Nine’s healthcare under the current administration. He pointed to the dramatic decline in maternal mortality, the advancement of telemedicine, and the training of local healthcare workers as key achievements. The minister also highlighted the increase in surgeries performed at Lethem Hospital—from 130 in 2020 to over 1,000 by the end of 2023—as evidence of the growing confidence in the region’s healthcare capabilities.
“We were able to fix the theatre in this hospital. We added a recovery room…these things were not there before,” Dr. Anthony explained, underscoring the government’s commitment to improving healthcare facilities and services across the country. He further detailed how significant investments had been made to equip and staff healthcare posts nationwide, with Region Nine receiving $100 million in 2021, $200 million in 2022, and $500 million in 2023 to enhance primary healthcare infrastructure.
The construction of the new hospital is part of a broader US$97 million Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) loan aimed at strengthening Guyana’s healthcare network. IDB Country Representative, Lorena Salazar, described the hospital as a crucial investment in the future well-being of the region’s people, enhancing the quality of diagnostics, consultations, and patient care.
“This new hospital demonstrates how targeted infrastructure investments can significantly improve access to quality healthcare, leading to better health outcomes and long-term socioeconomic development in Guyana,” she said.
Also present at the ceremony were Minister of Education Priya Manickchand, Regional Chairman Bryan Allicock, and Mayor of Lethem John Macedo, all of whom delivered remarks celebrating this milestone achievement for Region Nine. (Extracted and modified from DPI)
