By: Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News|
The Ministry of Health is moving to strengthen coordination and enhance healthcare delivery across Guyana’s ten administrative regions, following a two-day conference to review progress and chart the next phase of sector transformation.
The conference, hosted under the Ministry’s Regional Health Services Programme, brought together senior health officials, including Regional Health Officers and programme directors, for strategic discussions focused on collaboration, capacity building, and improved service delivery nationwide.
Delivering the feature address, Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony reflected on what he described as significant progress made in the health sector over the past five years. He said the government has placed strong emphasis on expanding and modernising healthcare infrastructure across the country.
Dr. Anthony highlighted major gains in human resource development, noting that more than 3,000 healthcare workers have been hired over the last three to four years. He also pointed to expanded training opportunities, particularly in nursing education.
The Minister revealed that the hybrid nursing programme is projected to graduate more than 800 nurses next year, a substantial increase from the previous annual output of 200-250 nurses. In addition, ongoing training programmes are being offered for nursing assistants, patient care assistants, pharmacy assistants, laboratory personnel, and community healthcare workers.
Addressing the supply of medicines, Dr. Anthony acknowledged that the sector faced significant challenges in 2020, when availability was approximately 40 per cent. He said sustained efforts have since improved access, with current estimates placing availability at over 90%. However, he noted that the distribution of medicines across regions remains an ongoing challenge.
The Minister also underscored the importance of digital health, noting that technology integration is expected to significantly improve productivity, efficiency, and coordination within the Ministry of Health.
The conference sessions, held at the Ministry of Health’s boardroom in Georgetown, focused on fostering a unified approach to healthcare delivery while equipping Regional Health Officers with the tools needed to better oversee and coordinate health services in partnership with key stakeholders.
Officials say the forum represents another step toward building a more responsive, efficient, and people-centred healthcare system across Guyana.
