National Assembly Greenlights $3.6 Billion Boost for Advancing Guyana's Healthcare Infrastructure

Guyana's healthcare landscape is set for a metamorphosis, as the National Assembly granted its unequivocal approval on Tuesday for an additional infusion of $3.6 billion. This substantial fiscal allocation is aimed at optimising service delivery and broadening equitable access to healthcare. The earmarked funds are slated for the proliferation of healthcare infrastructure nationwide, with a primary emphasis on the realisation of a cutting-edge hospital complex in New Amsterdam. This visionary initiative is anticipated not only to usher in modernity in healthcare facilities but also to contribute to the overall amelioration of healthcare services accessible to citizens of Guyana. Addressing inquiries from Opposition Member Dr. Karen Cummings during the 70th. session of the National Assembly, Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony expounded on the budgetary allocation. This funding, he clarified, is earmarked specifically for discharging the government's upfront commitment to the contracting entity, VAMED Engineering. Within this financial framework, a noteworthy allocation of $260 million is designated for the execution of sand-filling activities at various regional hospital sites. Additionally, $16 million is allocated for the engagement of supervisory personnel overseeing the New Amsterdam project. As Guyana increases the influx of nurses from Cuba, supplementary resources, duly sanctioned, will facilitate the support and management of Cuban nurses arriving this yearTo fortify the human resource capacity within the healthcare sector, the Ministry plans to initiate training for approximately 1000 individuals in the nursing assistant programme in January 2024. Concurrently, there are presently 1200 participants enrolled in the registered nursing programme, emblematic of the ongoing efforts to add to the healthcare workforce.

Source(Department of Public Information (2023), Amrita Naraine, Lead Researcher, ActionINVEST Caribbean Inc. (2023))

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21 Dec 2023 14:30 | by anaraine

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