CARPHA donates Portable PCR Instrument to strengthen Guyana’s public health response

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) yesterday handed over a state-of-the-art portable, mobile PCR instrument along with a supply of testing cartridges to the Ministry of Health’s National Public Health Reference Laboratory (NPHRL), marking a significant boost to Guyana’s capacity for rapid disease detection and outbreak response.

The equipment was handed over to Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Narine Singh by CARPHA’s Executive Director.

Valued at USD $300,000, this advanced diagnostic equipment enables results within two hours, allowing health officials to swiftly identify priority pathogens and respond to public health threats with greater efficiency. The portable system is designed for flexibility and can be deployed across regions, including remote and hinterland communities, ensuring equitable access to timely testing.

The PCR platform can detect a wide range of infectious diseases, including dengue and other vector-borne illnesses.

Additionally, the cartridges provided support testing for foodborne pathogens, norovirus, and leptospirosis, enhancing Guyana’s ability to manage both endemic and emerging diseases.

Honourable Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Health, emphasised that this new machine will be extremely valuable in delivering timely results and significantly improving the speed and accuracy of disease diagnosis.

Meanwhile, CARPHA’s Executive Director, Dr. Lisa Indar, emphasised the importance of this technology in strengthening regional health security. She noted that the machine’s rapid turnaround time and portability will significantly improve the country’s ability to respond to outbreaks quickly, safeguard communities, and support ongoing surveillance efforts.

The Ministry of Health expressed deep appreciation to CARPHA for its continued partnership and commitment to enhancing public health capacity. The donation to the NPHRL forms part of broader regional initiatives to modernize laboratory systems, strengthen preparedness, and build resilience against current and future health threats.

With this new equipment, Guyana is better positioned to protect its population, support faster clinical decision-making, and reinforce national and regional disease monitoring systems. (Ministry of Health press release)