$125 billion to upgrade hinterland health facilities – President announces

Stressed over health facilities that are not up to par, President Irfaan Ali has announced government’s plan to spend $125 billion to upgrade hinterland health facilities over the next three years.

“We are uncomfortable with some of the facilities out there that people come to for healthcare services.

“They must have basic things – proper waiting area, washroom facilities, and a clean environment… not one that you feel afraid to come to and not one that is not up to par,” the President said.

The Guyanese Head of State made these statements on Monday when he spoke at the opening ceremony of the new SMART hospital at Mabaruma, Region One (Barima- Waini).

According to Dr. Ali, his government is intent on improving healthcare services across the country – not only in coastal regions. To do, however, the government must make significant investments.

As such, he announced upgrade for facilities at Lethem, Kato, Mahdia, Port Kaituma, Bartica, Mabaruma and Moruca.

Of the $125 billion, about $4.1 billion (or about US$20 million) will be spent on the infrastructure upgrades at Moruca, Mabaruma and Port Kaituma.

These large sums, the President clarified, were just for infrastructure upgrades. Other investments will be made to train healthcare workers and procure medical supplies and medicines.

He said that when patients come to facilities for care, they must be given hope that they will be adequately treated. Patients must not be filled with despair, Dr. Ali emphasised.

Outside of the investments in the hinterland facilities, President Ali said that the government is hoping to modernise healthcare throughout Guyana. According to him, each region will have at least one regional hospital. In some regions, based on population size, there may be several regional hospitals.

And he promised that the government will continue improving workers’ salaries.

“We hope that these investments will continue to make a strong impact in the lives of people,” he said.