Expansion of Chinese Medical Brigade being explored for new hospitals

With more hospitals being built, Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony says the government is exploring the expansion of the Chinese Medical Brigade in Guyana.

Dr Anthony, while delivering remarks at the second launch of the Health Personnel Training Programme, reminded that six new regional hospitals will be commissioned this year and having highly skilled professionals positioned there will be necessary. He said among the bilateral discussions with China is the expanded presence of the brigade.

“Some of the bilateral that we keep talking about is to see whether or not we can increase where the brigade will be able to go, not just to be at Linden and the Georgetown Hospital but to be at other hospitals that in the future we might get them to go there,” the Health Minister said.

The brigade’s support locally includes special training to conduct medical procedures at hospitals. It is stationed at the Linden Hospital Complex and the Georgetown Public Hospital. Dr. Anthony said the staff at each hospital are constantly being trained and the government welcomes the support from China with providing extensive specialised support.

“They have helped this hospital to actually do a lot of break through types of surgeries and they’ve been many firsts because of the work of the brigade and specialists that we have at the hospital.

“Other staff that we have, they have been in training with use of some of the equipment. I’ve seen some of them [local doctors] working with laboratory equipment, surgery equipment and a whole host of other things. Those types of training are essential,” Dr. Anthony said.

Adding to the support from China, another seven local doctors will undergo training in the People’s Republic of China which will supplement the five that were trained in 2024. Dr. Du Boxiang, Head of the Chinese Medical Brigade said the doctors will undergo training at the Nanjing Drum Tower hospital, a highly recognised hospital in China.