Doctors providing medical consultations and treatment to patients through digital platforms could soon operate under a dedicated legal framework as the government prepares to introduce legislation regulating telehealth and digital healthcare services.
The proposed Telehealth and Digital Health Services Bill is expected to be presented in the National Assembly today by Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony.
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC, said the legislation would establish statutory rules governing the use of digital technology in the delivery of healthcare, particularly where doctors and patients are separated by long distances.
Nandlall explained that telehealth services are already being offered in Guyana, but a dedicated regulatory framework is needed to govern their delivery.
He described the proposed legislation as another major step towards modernising the country’s healthcare system.
“The bill seeks to make provisions for the regulation of telehealth services and the delivery of digital health in Guyana and for connected matters,” Nandlall said.
The Attorney General explained that telehealth allows healthcare professionals to use communication technologies to overcome geographical barriers when diagnosing, treating and monitoring medical conditions.
Through these services, doctors can exchange information with healthcare workers and patients in other locations without necessarily requiring patients to travel to the same facility.
Nandlall pointed to existing arrangements in which doctors based in Georgetown provide medical consultations to patients in other parts of the country.
He said such services demonstrate how technology is changing healthcare delivery and why legislation is needed to regulate the practice.
Guyana has been expanding the use of telemedicine to improve healthcare access in hinterland and riverine communities, where residents often face significant travel distances when seeking specialised medical attention.
In May 2026, Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony disclosed that approximately 150 telemedicine sites had been established to provide remote access to medical services.
Under the initiative, healthcare workers in remote communities can connect with doctors and specialists through internet-enabled devices, allowing medical information to be shared and clinical guidance to be provided without patients necessarily travelling to Georgetown.
Some locations also have equipment capable of measuring vital signs and performing diagnostic examinations, including electrocardiograms and ultrasound scans.
The arrangement is intended to help healthcare workers identify and manage medical conditions while improving access to specialist advice.
The introduction of the Telehealth and Digital Health Services Bill would therefore provide a legislative framework for an area of healthcare already operating in the country.
Nandlall argued that establishing clear rules for telehealth is necessary as Guyana adopts newer forms of medical service delivery.
He said the proposed law would help bring Guyana into line with jurisdictions where digital healthcare services are already regulated.
“This is bringing Guyana up to par with jurisdictions that are already there,” he stated.
The Attorney General also described the legislation as part of a broader effort to ensure that Guyana’s laws keep pace with technological developments.
The Telehealth and Digital Health Services Bill is one of two healthcare-related bills expected to be introduced by Dr. Anthony during Wednesday’s sitting.
The other, the Emergency Medical Services Bill, seeks to regulate ambulance operations and pre-hospital emergency care.
