National Health Information Systems and Technology Workforce Development Programme launched in Guyana

Honourable Dr Frank Anthony, Minister of Health this morning delivered the keynote address at the launch of the National Health Information Systems and Technology Workforce Development Programme at the Guyana Marriott.

The US $100M programme is being launched by the Greater Guyana Initiative in collaboration with Hess Corporation, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC).

This programme will thereafter facilitate the birth of the Guyana Digital Health Training Institute, a partnership between Mount Sinai Health Systems and the Ministry of Health. The institution will offer free training to healthcare workers in the public health sector in health information systems and technology.

Minister of Health, Honourable Dr Frank Anthony lauded the launch of the programme stating that continuous training and development of healthcare workers are crucial for maintaining high standards of care and preparing for future health challenges.

During his address, he said that the Ministry has recognised the need for digitalisation to enhance healthcare delivery and has since relied on international partnerships with Mount Sinai Health Systems and the International Development Bank (IDB) for funding and expertise in the area of digital health and electronic health records.

He noted that the introduction of electronic health records will improve efficiency and patient care. This programme he said is being piloted at the Georgetown Public Hospital Cooperation with plans being made for nationwide implementation at six newly constructed regional hospitals which are scheduled to be commissioned by September of this year. The electronic health records project is being rolled out in partnership with the Mount Sinai Health System.

The Minister explained that the Ministry has already established 84 telemedicine sites in remote communities across Guyana, a programme which he said has garnered much success in remote diagnostics, especially in ultrasounds under the guide of specialist doctors at major regional hospitals.

He further disclosed that the Ministry is working to build out an electronic disease surveillance system to monitor infectious and chronic diseases and is looking to establish systems to monitor animal diseases to prevent future pandemics.

The Minister hopes that collaborative efforts with international partners will further bolster these initiatives, setting a precedent for healthcare advancements in the Caribbean region.

“… many Caribbean Countries are trying to implement electronic power systems. But they don’t have the personnel. So, if we are successful in what we are doing, and we are very confident that we’ll be successful, then we’ll be able to share what we have done. And I’m sure the greater Caribbean region will also benefit from what we are doing,” he said.

Also present at this morning’s launch was Dr. Rachel Vreeman, Director of the Arnhold Institute for Global Health at Mount Sinai and Executive Director of Guyana Consultancy at Mount Sinai and Alicia Bess- Anderson, Project Lead, Greater Guyana Initiative.

 Honourable Dr Frank Anthony, Minister of Health delivering  the keynote address at the launch of the Guyana Health Information Systems and Technology Workforce Development Programme at the Guyana Marriott.