Mount Sinai-Hess partnership with Guyana extended for 5 more years

…Pres Ali envisions imminent healthcare revolution with Phase II
…as Guyana to get world-class cancer centre, digital health system

The National Healthcare Initiative being powered through the Government of Guyana’s partnership with Mount Sinai, is moving into Phase II of the project, with President Dr Irfaan Ali signing a five-year extension of the initiative.
The signing of the ceremony took place at State House on Tuesday, with President Ali being joined by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hess Corporation John Hess and Chair of Mount Sinai’s Department of Global Health and Health System Design Dr Rachel Vreeman. In his presentation, Ali hailed the role played by Mount Sinai.
“The journey to world-class healthcare is not walked alone – it is built through strategic partnerships, bold investments, and a shared vision for excellence. Today, we take another decisive step toward transforming our healthcare system.”
“By uniting the policy, expertise and resources of Hess Corporation, Mount Sinai, and the Government, along with our local healthcare professionals, we are shaping a future where every citizen has access to cutting-edge, compassionate, and high-quality care. Together, we are not just improving healthcare – we are redefining it.” President Ali said.

According to President Ali, there will come a time when Guyana’s hospitals will rival the very best in the world, with state-of-the-art surgical interventions and diagnostic treatments, aided by technology and the country’s global partnerships. He also described Guyana as a perfect test case for this transformation, owing to the population size.
“And given our size, we are at the perfect test case for robotics, for AI (Artificial Intelligence), for digitisation, for AI-supporting triaging. We are that perfect size. But we are not settling to be a sample size. We are embracing the most advanced technology. So that in another two years, you would be in a healthcare system that would be almost paperless.”
Meanwhile, Dr Vreeman, who is also the Director of the Arnhold Institute for Global Health at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, spoke of what Guyana can expect from the furtherance of the partnership.
“We are incredibly proud to work in partnership with the Government of Guyana to improve access to high-quality healthcare for all Guyanese. Now, through 2030, we will continue to support and accelerate Guyana’s progress to achieving a healthier country and a transformed health system, setting a new regional and global standard for modern health system development.”

In his address, Hess outlined the various initiatives that have already been rolled out by the partnership between Sinai and Guyana’s health sector, as well as what persons can expect from phase two, which will include the new national women and children’s hospital, among others.
“We are proud to support the vision of the Government and the work of Mount Sinai to provide world class healthcare to every Guyanese citizen. Access to affordable and high-quality healthcare is central to the country’s future and its commitment to building shared prosperity for the people of Guyana.”
Phase II of the National Healthcare Initiative will include establishment of a national cancer centre that will screen and treat breast, cervical, prostate and other common cancers that cause the most deaths in Guyana. It will also include the continued modernisation of national health facilities including Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
For instance, a national programme to improve the quality, safety, and delivery of health services – from the GPHC, the country’s largest hospital, to regional hospitals to every health centre and post. These initiatives will provide a strong foundation for the growth of a high-quality, modern health system that provides unparalleled care for all.
Phase II will also cater for the implementation of one of the world’s most advanced digital health systems. It will be Guyana’s first national electronic health records system and will complete the foundations for one of the most advanced digital health systems in the region and the world by 2030.
So far, Phase I of the project witnessed over 35,000 Guyanese children having comprehensive health screenings completed by the Ministry of Health, with around a quarter referred on for needed services to address vision, hearing, dental, and developmental problems and more.
Additionally, nearly 900 nursing assistants will graduate from the Ministry of Health’s training programmes in 2025 and join the health workforce, beginning to close the nursing shortage. Additionally, new guidelines and clinical protocols, as well as new digital protection laws and a state-of-the-art pathology lab have been established through this partnership.