By Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News |
Guyana’s health sector is preparing for a major digital transformation following the official launch of the Ministry of Health’s new US$5 million Digital Health Training Programme—an initiative expected to train nearly 300 Guyanese over the next three years.
The inaugural cohort of 60 students began their training on Tuesday, marking what officials describe as a pivotal step toward building a fully connected, data-driven, patient-centered national health system.
Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony said the programme is central to the ministry’s vision of ensuring equitable access to high-quality healthcare across all regions.
“To do that, we have to make sure that we are in every region and every one of our facilities will be connected,” Dr. Anthony said, emphasizing the importance of a unified digital network within the public health system.
Graduates to Receive Permanent Positions
Dr. Anthony also announced that upon completion of the programme, graduates will transition directly into permanent roles within the Ministry of Health.
“This project is going to take care of them for the first three years, and then the Ministry is going to bring them into employment,” he stated.
Mount Sinai: A “Bold and Transformative Movement”
Executive Director of Mount Sinai Guyana, Dr. Rachel Vreeman, said the launch marked the beginning of a transformative new era.
“This is a critical part of how Guyana will build a world-class healthcare system,” Dr. Vreeman noted. “Guyanese will gain access to modern, high-quality services.”
She emphasized that digital readiness is essential for achieving modern standards of care and improving outcomes nationwide.
Greater Guyana Initiative Supports the Programme
President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge, also addressed the ceremony on behalf of the Greater Guyana Initiative (GGI), which has pledged long-term developmental support to the country.
He highlighted that GGI is backed by G$20 billion in commitments over a decade to support sustainable national development, including healthcare.
“It’s about helping healthcare,” Routledge said, describing the company’s investment in a three-year programme to support the Digital Health Institute, enabling participation from students in all 10 administrative regions.
“We are really excited that we are going to invest in a three-year program to support the Digital Health Institute… ensuring the digital system can be implemented and supported,” he added.
A National Push Toward Digital Healthcare
The newly launched programme represents one of the largest investments in digital health human capital in Guyana’s history. It aims to produce a workforce capable of supporting electronic health records, telemedicine expansion, data analytics, and technology-driven patient care.
Officials say the initiative will ensure that digital transformation becomes a permanent and sustainable feature of Guyana’s public health landscape.
