Guyana gets 4 ambulances through US$4.8M grant from Japan

Guyana’s health service delivery received a boost with four new ambulances made possible through a US$4.8 million grant from the Government of Japan.

The new equipment, procured through the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), was presented to the Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony at the Health Ministry’s Brickdam office on Friday.

Nobuaki Hanawa, First Secretary at the Embassy of Japan in Trinidad and Tobago, delivered remarks on behalf of Ambassador Tatsuo Hirayama; he was happy to report that Guyana is the first beneficiary of Japan’s “Project for Enhancing the Healthcare System through the Provision of Medical Equipment” out of four Caribbean countries.

“As a development partner, our government is immensely pleased about our cooperation with Guyana’s nation-building, [so] I sincerely hope that this equipment being handed over today would be utilised soon for those who are in need of medical support,” Nobuaki Hanawa stated.

Though Japan’s agreement with UNOPS was signed in March, the country initiated action in October, seeking possible avenues of assistance for Caribbean countries during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Health Minister explained that the equipment will significantly boost Guyana’s emergency response as currently, there are approximately close to 20 health care centres with the capacity to house COVID-19 patients.

“We have built that capacity over time by adding beds and ventilators for persons requiring hospitalisation and so some of the other equipment [we will receive] would help us to improve the quality of services especially the mobile diagnostic equipment requested,” the Health Minister highlighted.

As part of the grant, Guyana is also set to receive ultrasound scanning systems, oximeters, diagnostic imaging mobiles, ECG, and other supplies at an approximate value of US$800,000.

“…So each piece of equipment that was requested…we really talked about our current needs…and we are very pleased that we have been able to get this equipment in such a timely manner because it will assist us in how we respond more appropriately to patients,” Dr. Anthony added.