Latest update April 28th, 2026 12:30 AM
Diamond Diagnostic Centre celebrates first anniversary
More than 75,000 patients seen
Last Sunday, October 12, marked one year since the East Bank Demerara Regional Hospital, popularly known as the Diamond Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, was officially established.
Located at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, the facility has provided health care for various health conditions to 75,023 persons, some from as far away as Parika, East Bank Essequibo.
At a press conference at Red House, on Wednesday last, Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, noted that 3,213 surgeries were conducted at the hospital.
There were also 2,052 ultrasounds, 3,050 endoscopies (looking inside the body for medical reasons using an instrument called an endoscope), 134 ECGs (Electrocardiogram) and 19,067 lab tests done at the institution.
Minister Ramsaran said the figures have shown that the facility is becoming more popular, and the quality of service being offered is more acceptable.
He also noted that the facility is taking a major burden off the Georgetown Public Hospital, which is always filled to capacity.
The Diamond hospital is currently staffed by Cuban and Guyanese specialists. Initially, a team of Cuban nurses, doctors and technicians staffed the facility, but recently the Ministry of Health added several other health personnel, including two medical officers who recently graduated in Cuba.
By the end of this year, there will be 70 new doctors returning to Guyana from Cuba.
These doctors, who are final-year students, will be stationed at the various diagnostic centres and hospitals around the country.
Dr Ramsaran said that the ministry is being proactive and is currently looking at ways to improve the services provided at all health centres countrywide.
The centre offers a wide range of services, such as laboratory, intensive care, x-rays and ultra-sound.
During President Bharrat Jagdeo’s visit to Cuba in February 2006, it was agreed that the Guyana Government will purchase US$1.2M worth of equipment to furnish four diagnostic and treatment centres that would be set up by the Cubans.
The centre was constructed with $131 million from the public treasury. The staff quarters cost a further $40 million.
Equipment for these centres was purchased from Cuba at a cost of US$1.2 million.
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