New Annai District Hospital Commissioned

Marking a significant milestone in the transformation of healthcare delivery in Guyana’s hinterland, the Ministry of Health, Honourable Dr Frank Anthony on Friday officially commissioned the new Annai District Hospital in the Upper Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

The hospital is now fully equipped and staffed to deliver a comprehensive range of medical services, including outpatient care, inpatient services, accident and emergency treatment, maternal and child health, non-communicable disease management, laboratory and diagnostic testing, pharmacy services, general surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, dental care, and radiology services (X-ray and ultrasound).

During a community ceremony. Dr Anthony emphasised the government’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare across the nation.

“Today is a day of celebration,” Minister Anthony stated. “What began as a modest health centre has now evolved into a full-fledged district hospital—equipped with a state-of-the-art surgical theatre, enhanced laboratory services, advanced imaging technologies, and modern staff accommodations.”

The facility, representing a $236 million investment, forms part of a broader $450 million regional initiative to upgrade healthcare infrastructure throughout Region Nine. This includes the provision of four new ambulances and several all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) to boost emergency medical response in remote areas.

Additional developments across the region include the deployment of cutting-edge diagnostic tools. These feature a new digital x-ray system and a mammography unit at Lethem Hospital, as well as AI-assisted malaria detection technology introduced in collaboration with Harvard University.

“These advancements mean residents no longer have to cross borders in search of healthcare,” Dr. Anthony said. “We are now seeing patients coming to us because the quality of care in Region Nine has significantly improved.”

The Ministry also used the occasion to encourage greater participation in the nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign, now expanded to include women up to age 45. The initiative is a key part of the government’s strategy to reduce cervical cancer, the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Guyana.

”Progress is not just a concept—it’s action,” Dr. Anthony concluded. “We are not only talking about transformation; we are delivering it.”

Also present at the recommissioning were Dr Cerdel Mc Watt, Regional Health Officer (RHO); Bryan Allicock, Regional Chairman and Mr Micheal Gouveia, Hinterland Coordinator, Regional Health Services.