Residents across Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), who require dialysis treatment, will no longer have to travel to receive the life-saving service as the Lima Regional Hospital rolls out dialysis services.
There are approximately 12 patients in the region who require this treatment. Previously, they had to travel to Regions Three and Four to access dialysis.
The commencement of this service comes on the heels of commitments made by President Dr Irfaan Ali to introduce dialysis treatment on the Essequibo Coast.
See below for the full statement from the Health Ministry:
The Ministry of Health is pleased to announce the commencement of dialysis services at the Lima Regional Hospital, marking another significant milestone in the Government of Guyana’s continued efforts to expand access to specialised and essential healthcare services across the country.
For the first time, patients requiring dialysis treatment can now access the service at the Lima Regional Hospital. Following the completion of the necessary preparations and installation of equipment, the facility has transitioned to active patient care, with the first two patients, Rodwell Stewart and Hillary Allen, successfully receiving dialysis treatment.
The introduction of dialysis services at the hospital forms part of the Ministry of Health’s broader strategy to expand access to renal replacement therapy and decentralise specialised healthcare services.
Dialysis is a life-sustaining treatment for patients whose kidneys are no longer able to adequately perform their essential functions. Historically, access to dialysis services has been concentrated in fewer locations across Guyana, requiring some patients to travel significant distances several times per week to receive treatment.
By expanding dialysis services to regional hospitals, the Ministry aims to bring treatment closer to patients and their families, reduce the burden associated with travelling for care, and further strengthen Guyana’s public healthcare system.
Importantly, dialysis services at the Lima Regional Hospital are being provided free of cost to eligible patients through the public health system.
The new service will primarily benefit patients within the Lima Regional Hospital catchment area and surrounding communities who require ongoing dialysis treatment.
Accessing dialysis closer to home is expected to significantly reduce the distance patients are required to travel, minimise transportation-related expenses and challenges, reduce disruption to their daily lives and family responsibilities, and ease the demand on dialysis facilities in other parts of the country.
The expansion also supports the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that access to essential healthcare services is determined by patients’ medical needs and not by their geographical location or ability to pay.
The Ministry advises that dialysis is a specialised treatment and not every patient diagnosed with kidney disease will require dialysis.
Patients who believe they may require dialysis should first be assessed by a qualified healthcare professional. Following the appropriate clinical assessment, the healthcare team will determine whether dialysis is required and whether the patient is suitable to receive treatment at the facility.
Patients requiring dialysis are encouraged to follow the established referral and assessment process within the public health system and provide all relevant medical and medication information during their assessment.
Patients receiving treatment must also adhere to their scheduled dialysis sessions and follow the clinical team’s guidance regarding medications, diet, fluid intake and other aspects of their treatment. Any concerning symptoms or complications should be promptly reported to the healthcare team.
A Major Step Forward for Regional Healthcare
The commencement of dialysis services at the Lima Regional Hospital represents another important advancement in the delivery of specialised healthcare closer to communities across Guyana.
The Ministry of Health remains committed to expanding dialysis capacity throughout the country and ensuring that patients requiring this essential treatment have access to safe, quality and accessible care through the public health system.
The introduction of this service is more than the opening of another dialysis unit; it represents a tangible investment in the health, dignity and quality of life of patients living with kidney disease, while advancing the Government’s wider vision of equitable access to quality healthcare for all Guyanese.
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