The government has confirmed receipt of a proposal to establish a Poison Control Centre and a world-class hospital focused on medical tourism in Silica City.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali made the announcement during his feature address at the commissioning of the new $6.6 billion Diamond Regional Hospital on Sunday.
“We are not only concerned about beautiful structures and architecture; we are also focused on the services we deliver to the people,” the Head of State posited.
He added, “We’re currently developing a regional centre to prevent poisoning, and already we have a proposal for a world-class branded hospital that will focus on medical tourism in the new Silica City,” the Head of State revealed.
Silica City, located along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, was first conceptualised in 2009 and is expected to become Guyana’s first modern, sustainable city.
Over the next two decades, it is envisioned that more than 12,500 households will be accommodated. Residents will benefit from high-end developments, including smart homes outfitted with cutting-edge, energy-saving technologies.
The Poison Control Centre is expected to play a crucial role in providing immediate, expert, and free medical advice in cases of poisoning.
President Ali further noted that the proposed medical tourism hospital would integrate advanced technologies aimed at attracting international patients and highly skilled medical specialists.
“These health infrastructure investments are part of a broader strategy that includes the deployment of robotic surgery, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-assisted diagnostic imaging, interconnected international laboratory networks, digital pharmacy systems, and automated medical supply chains,” he explained.
“Beyond these investments, we also have major healthcare projects already in the pipeline for Regions Seven, Eight, and Nine. All of these efforts are geared towards ensuring an equitable level of healthcare service across our country. To support this transformation, we have a comprehensive digital health plan, including electronic health records, e-prescribing systems, and the digitization of pharmaceutical warehousing and distribution. Work has already begun,” the President emphasised.
Apart from the Poison Control Centre, President Ali also outlined Guyana’s broader vision to become a regional hub for medical innovation. He announced plans for the development of a Caribbean Biobank, a Caribbean Gene Bank, and a Guyana Eye Bank, all of which are currently in development.
He added that Guyana is collaborating with the European Union (EU) on several initiatives in the life sciences.
“We’re investing in a series of life sciences hubs supported by the EU, including the establishment of the EU-Guyana-Barbados Grand Partnership, which will help build an ecosystem to support the biopharma industry here.
The development of the Caribbean Centre for Manufacturing of Diagnostics, Therapeutics, and Vaccines, the establishment of the Biomedical Research Centre, the creation of an incubator ecosystem for startups, and the implementation of a funding mechanism for startups. All of these are things that are going to support this transformation in the healthcare system,” Ali concluded.
