– More Than One Million Lab Tests, 82,200 X-Rays and 37,700 Ultrasounds Completed
– Approximately 2,400 Babies Delivered; Nearly 280,000 Prescriptions Filled
– Four Additional Regional Hospitals Near Halfway Mark as Healthcare Expansion Continues
Guyana’s six newly commissioned regional hospitals are already recording significant levels of patient care, with thousands of surgeries performed and more than 160,000 outpatient and inpatient cases recorded since the facilities became operational.
President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, during his press conference on Tuesday, disclosed that the hospitals have recorded more than 145,000 outpatient visits, 18,500 inpatient admissions and approximately 3,700 surgeries since being commissioned.
According to the President, the facilities have also completed more than one million laboratory tests, approximately 82,200 X-rays, 37,700 ultrasounds and 13,680 CT scans.
Additionally, more than 101,000 specialist clinic attendances were recorded across services including surgery, gynaecology, dentistry, ophthalmology and ear, nose and throat (ENT) care.
President Ali said, “Those are just some of the numbers to demonstrate to you how important these investments are and the level of care and service that these investments are delivering to the people of Guyana and the people of these regions.”
He further explained, that approximately 2,400 babies were delivered across the six hospitals, while nearly 280,000 prescriptions were completely filled.
Highlighting the performance of individual facilities, the President noted that the Diamond Regional Hospital recorded the highest inpatient and surgical workload, with 4,705 admissions and 967 surgeries, and conducted 4,797 CT scans.
Moreover, President Ali shared that there is a wide range of specialist services available across the facilities.
“More than 101,000 specialist clinic attendances covering surgery, gynaecology, dentistry, ophthalmology, and ENT – name it, a wide array of services,” he said.
Meanwhile, the President noted that the Enmore Regional Hospital recorded the highest outpatient activity among the six facilities, with 36,670 visits, as well as the highest X-ray workload, with 21,131 examinations.
The Number 75 Regional Hospital completed more than 351,000 laboratory tests, while the Lima Regional Hospital conducted more than 289,000.
Pleased with the speed of service across the facilities, the President added that the average waiting time is approximately 10 minutes for emergency care and 30 minutes for outpatient services.
He maintained that the average waiting times recorded across the six facilities compare favourably with those at most hospitals globally, particularly public hospitals.
Furthermore, President Ali noted that the De Kendren Regional Hospital recorded 8,760 ultrasounds and 61,700 laboratory tests, while the Bath Regional Hospital delivered 25,601 outpatient consultations, conducted 58,755 laboratory tests and performed 11,024 X-rays.
According to the President, the figures, demonstrate the range of healthcare services now being accessed closer to communities outside Georgetown and the broader impact of the investments on healthcare delivery across the country.
He described the investments as having significantly transformed Guyana’s health sector, noting that the majority of persons utilising the services have reported positive experiences.
While acknowledging that challenges remain within the healthcare system, the President maintained that they are not as severe as some reports or public perceptions suggest.
Furthermore, President Ali also provided an update on the progress of additional hospital projects currently under development.
He reported that the Moruca Hospital is 46.5 per cent completed, Kaito Hospital 51.9 per cent, Lethem Hospital 49.8 per cent and West Demerara Hospital 21 per cent, with each project described as being almost on target.
The President also shared that formal construction of the Bartica Regional Hospital, which carries a contract value of $254 million, has not yet commenced, although preliminary design works are 95 per cent completed.
Finally, President Ali described the performance of the hospitals and their respective teams as exceptional, while commending the medical, laboratory and nursing staff for their continued efforts and around-the-clock work to strengthen healthcare delivery across the country.
