New $6.8B Bartica Regional Hospital to be completed in 24 months

The Ministry of Health on Saturday celebrated a major milestone with the sod-turning ceremony for the construction of a new, state-of-the-art regional hospital in Bartica, Region Seven.

The facility, which is expected to be completed in two years, forms part of the government’s ongoing efforts to modernise and expand healthcare access across Guyana.

Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, in his feature address, described the occasion as a “memorable and long-anticipated moment”, noting that the project reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening the national health system following the challenges exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since 2020, the government has made substantial investments in healthcare, including the construction of nearly 25 health centres and posts nationwide.

The government has also commissioned six new regional hospitals in areas such as Lima, De Kinderen, Diamond, Enmore, Bath, and No. 75 Village. These facilities are fully operational and staffed with trained medical professionals, including specialists.

The minister explained that after careful assessment, the government opted to construct the new hospital on a fresh site rather than retrofitting the existing facility.

The new location spans approximately ten acres, allowing room for future expansion, improved patient access, and enhanced emergency response capabilities, including proximity to the airstrip for medical evacuations.

“When this hospital is completed, people in Bartica and surrounding communities will be able to access high-quality, specialised services right here, without having to travel to Georgetown,” he noted.

The new Bartica Regional Hospital will be equipped with a wide range of modern services and technologies.

These include a 24-hour accident and emergency department, pharmacy, and diagnostic unit featuring digital X-rays, ultrasound, and a modern CT scanner. The facility will also incorporate advanced artificial intelligence systems to assist with rapid interpretation of medical imaging, enabling quicker and more accurate diagnoses.

Additional features will include a fully equipped laboratory capable of conducting over 100 types of tests, a modern blood bank, and approximately 50 inpatient beds in self-contained, air-conditioned rooms designed for patient comfort and privacy.

“We want the nurses, technicians, and other healthcare workers in this hospital to come from Bartica and surrounding communities, and we are asking residents to work with us to identify and train young people for these opportunities,” he urged.

Specialised services will also be available on-site, including dentistry with dedicated dental imaging, audiology services with access to hearing aids, speech therapy, and two modern operating theatres capable of supporting a wide range of surgical procedures.

A dedicated maternity ward and neonatal unit will further enhance care for mothers and newborns.

Upon completion, the hospital is expected to employ a minimum of 46 doctors, including specialists in obstetrics and gynaecology, surgery, internal medicine, paediatrics, and emergency medicine, significantly enhancing the level of care available within the region. [Department of Public Information]