Over surgeries in 2022 slash current backlog – Dr Anthony

ed to this system.

“Later this year, we will be introducing telepathology services. This is a collaborative project between the MoH and Mount Sinai Hospital. This project, once completed, will reduce the turnaround time for the analysis of pathological samples. Currently, there is a long waiting time for a biopsy to be sent to the lab. With this new system, we are projecting that we will cut waiting time to less than a week.”

Upgrades hearing aids. Previously patients had to pay $65,000, but it is now free.

“Moving from a rudimentary to a world-class system required innovation and application of technology. With this in mind, the Government of Guyana has started a remote e-medicine Clinic at Nappi, Parikawaranau, Yupukari, and Gunns Strip. Each of these sites has a computer with internet-enabled devices, powered by solar energy and connected to the internet using satellite technology,” the Health Minister added.

This was announced on Wednesday by the Guyana Americas Merchant Bank Inc. (GuyAm Bank), lead arranger of the loan for the hotel development project being constructed at Oronoque and Robb Streets, Georgetown.

“This facility is being financed by the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry Limited (GBTI). GuyAm Bank extends its congratulations to Arimu Investments Inc. on this accomplishment, and commends its plans for the development of the tourism and hospitality sector in Guyana,” GuyAm Bank said in a statement.

To clear the existing surgical backlog, the Health Ministry was able to execute a whopping 13,691 surgeries in 2022.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony made this revelation during his budget debate earlier this week. He noted that it is the highest number of surgeries done at the Georgetown Public Hospital in a single year. This was 3,000 more than the number of surgeries done in 2019.

“Last year, the GPHC pioneered several new surgical interventions. This includes the first breast reconstruction surgery, the first pregnancy through artificial insemination, and the first laparoscopic bariatric surgery,” Dr Anthony expressed.

In partnership with Operation Walk Maryland, the Orthopaedic team implanted 52 hips and knee joints. Joint implantation will soon be done routinely, as discussions have started for the establishment of an

Orthopaedic Training Centre at the GPHC.

Meanwhile, as part of the telemedicine programme, the Ministry expanded its tele-diagnostics programme, expanding the existing tele-ophthalmology, and teleradiology programmes.

“Tele-ophthalmology is now available at several sites in Guyana. This allows us to scan the retina and transmit the image to a central hub for interpretation. With the expansion of this programme, more diabetics will be closely monitored to prevent diabetic retinopathy.”

The teleradiology programme is also expanding. As of now, the programme operates with the GPHC to provide real-time interpretation of X-rays and CT scans. With the new digital X-rays now available at an additional 13 sites, these two will be connected for interpretation, and when the nine new CT Scanning machines are installed, these will be connect-

In fixing primary healthcare between 2021 and 2022, Dr Anthony disclosed, upgrades were done at more than 250 health centres and health posts across all administrative regions. The Ministry has collaborated with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to develop a comprehensive package of services consisting of 216 interventions that will be offered at this level.

It includes the diagnosis and treatment of the most prevalent infectious diseases, maternal and child health services, immunizations, and diagnosis and treatment of the main chronic non-communicable diseases.

The MoH has also started offering eye screening, dental checkups, and screening for hearing impairments.

For eye screening, some 4500 spectacles were distributed free of cost, while over 100 patients from the hinterland benefitted from cataract surgeries. Another 500 patients were assisted with

In the past two years, the Ministry added surgical theatres to Kumaka and Port Kaituma in Region One, Kamarang in Region Seven and Mahdia in Region Eight, and Aishalton in Region Nine.

Under the UK-financed SMART Hospital project, refurbishments were rolled out at the Lethem and Mabaruma surgical theatres, which are now fully operational. In addition, the US Government has donated two oxygen plants which have been sent to these two hospitals.

“In the last two years, we have started to upgrade our medical imaging. All hospitals now have an ultrasound. In the last two years, we have bought 13 new X-rays, both mobile and fixed systems. Fixed digital X-ray systems are currently being installed at Suddie, West Demerara, Diamond Diagnostic Center, Mahaicony, Fort Wellington, New Amsterdam, Port Mourant, Mibicuri and Linden.”

GuyAm Bank, a subsidiary of GBTI and Secure International Finance Corporation, is known for offering world-class investment banking, investment advisory, and stock brokerage services in Guyana. The bank has said it is also committed to helping clients raise capital through the private placement of securities, public issue of shares on the Guyana Stock Exchange, and access to loans from various banks within Guyana and the region.

This loan will partially finance the US$20 million Aiden by Best Western Hotel, which will span nine floors of a 74,000 square foot modern building. The vision is to have more than 100 executive rooms, an executive bar and lounge, executive conference rooms, private dining rooms, a state-of-theart gym, bar, and restaurant.

Initially, the hotel was slated to have a 101-room capacity, but this has been increased to 150 rooms following the investor’s acquisition of additional land at its Robb and Oronoque

On December 16, 2022, Arimu Investment’s Inc. announced that it has signed a contract with a Chinese company, CNQC Engineering and Construction Limited, to take the Aiden by Best Western to its “completion and turnkey stage”.

Despite delays and other hindrances, the company has said that the hotel is on track for its scheduled opening, sometime between December 2023 and January 2024.

Aiden is a boutique-style hotel under the world-renowned Best Western Hotel and Resorts. It is part of a trendy collection of laid-back boutique hotels that blend cool, casual and charm with an eclectic neighbourly feel.

No two hotels are alike, as each is designed to reflect the unique personality of each community/country it serves. Guests would discover local flair and imaginative designs with Aiden as their welcoming and stylish host.

The Aiden by Best Western Hotel would be providing guests with executive chauffeur services, shuttle bus tours around Guyana, Demerara River tours, and the investor is also engaging the aviation sector for helicopter tour packages.

This hotel will be the 12th Aiden Hotel worldwide and the first for the Caribbean and South America.

Arimu Investments Inc’s Director Geraldo Alphonso had indicated that the project would provide jobs for as many as 150 Guyanese workers throughout its construction phase, and a total of no less than 50 when it becomes operational.

“It was high on our company’s construction agenda to ensure that we utilise every inch of the Guyanese workforce,” Alphonso has posited.