The new $6.6 Billion Diamond Hospital on the East Bank of Demerara was commissioned on Sunday by President Irfaan Ali, who noted that the new facility forms part of the Government’s push to modernize the country’s health sector.
The Diamond Hospital is the first of six new regional hospitals to open as part of the Government’s healthcare enhancement programme.
At the commissioning ceremony, the President said the hospital is not just a healthcare facility, but it is one that would transform healthcare delivery along the East Bank corridor.
He said the facility has satisfied the American, British and Chinese standard and that is testament to the quality of service that would be offered there.
According to the President, the goal is to ensure that the facility along with all others delivery consistent, high class medical service to Guyanese.
“We want our healthcare professionals to be supported with technology to make their job more efficient and the citizens to be supported with technology to ensure greater accountability and transparency in the delivery of service, because that is the great priority of the government to ensure that we put systems in place so that the investments we are making will deliver high class, efficient and reliable service consistently,” the President noted.
The President said healthcare workers and patients have a responsibility to ensure that the facility is kept well, adding that with the opening of other similar facilities, he is aware of the human resource challenges. He said the Government will continue to work to overcome that challenge.
“As we move forward, we must be able to build a future in which our healthcare professionals can rest assured that they have a rewarding future ahead, rewarding in the sense of your immediate benefits, in the environment in which you are working, in the welfare, but rewarding also in service and to our citizens you can be assured of a future in which you will have a level of service comparable to anything when it comes to world-class healthcare,” the President promised.
Meanwhile, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, said while the Government has invested recently to upgrade the old Diamond Hospital, the new hospital became necessary because of the increase in the size of the population on the East Bank of Demerara. He said the services which would be offered at the hospital would also minimize persons having to go to the Georgetown hospital.
“Today, Mr. President, we celebrate more than the opening of this hospital, we are marking a significant investment in health, in the dignity and well-being of the people on the East Bank corridor, the more than 40,000 persons who are living on the East Bank corridor, and this hospital stands as a symbol or our President’s commitment to ensure quality healthcare which is not a privilege for the few but a right for all Guyanese, “ Dr. Anthony noted.
Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Ms. Yang Yang, said the opening of the hospital marks an important milestone in the China- Guyana friendship, since the project was completed as part of a partnership between the two countries.
“The completion and commission of Diamond hospital will undoubtedly provide strong medical support for Guyanese people. In the near future, the other five hospitals will be completed one by one and the Chinese companies will continue to deliver this project with high quality, high standard and high efficiency,” the Ambassador said.
The 75-bed hospital has a 24-hour Accident and Emergency Department and Laboratories, along with two operating theatres, and a minor surgery theatre.
It also boasts a comprehensive imaging area providing digital X-rays and CT scans to enhance diagnostic capabilities and provide, eye, ear and other services including a delivery room.
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