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Guyana signs $17.5M Line of Credit with India EXIM Bank
– Bartica, Suddie and West Demerara hospitals to be modernised
Finance Minister Winston Jordan (Third from left) and Resident Representative of the India EXIM Bank, Sailesh Prasad (Second from right) signing the agreement at the Ministry of Finance as the India High Commissioner to Guyana, Venkatachalam Mahalingam (extreme right); Health Minister, Volda Lawrence (Left) and a Ministry staffer look on.
Government yesterday inked an agreement with the Export/Import Bank of India, for some US$17.5M to be made available to modernise primary healthcare facilities here.
Inking the agreement on behalf of Guyana at the Ministry of Finance, High Street, was the Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan.
He did so in the presence of the Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence; the Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma; India High Commissioner to Guyana, Venkatachalam Mahalingam; Guyana High Commissioner to India, David Goldwin Pollard; Resident Representative of the India EXIM Bank, Sailesh Prasad; representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and staff of the Ministry of Finance.
High Commissioner to Guyana Mahalingam, said that US$17.5M will be provided to modernise three primary health hospitals: the West Demerara Regional Hospital (Best Village); the Bartica Regional Hospital; and the Suddie Regional Hospital.
The ambassador said that his team has already made a list of companies which can act as project management consultants.
Minister Jordan, during his remarks, expounded on the works that will be undertaken.
“Through the signing of this agreement, the Government of India will provide financial assistance to assist our government to upgrade and modernise three regional hospitals.
The resources will be used to refurbish the existing facilities and construct new buildings at the Suddie Regional Hospital in Region Two (Pomeroon/ Supenaam); West Demerara Regional Hospital in Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara); and the Bartica Regional Hospital in Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni),” he said. Additionally, medical equipment will be procured to furnish the new and renovated facilities, Jordan added.
“When completed, residents of the immediate and surrounding areas can expect to benefit from the improved healthcare facilities and service. The provision of quality healthcare remains a primary objective of this government.
An effective public health system is essential to providing care for the sick and for instituting measures that prevent diseases and promote the general well-being of the Guyanese populace.”
It is also expected that the upgrade of the hospitals will ease the burden currently placed on the Ministry of Public Health’s budget since the entity is responsible for evacuating hinterland patients to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for highly-specialised care during emergencies.
As observed over the years, many residents of the outlying regions prefer to seek medical attention at the GPHC believing that the service being offered there is superior to the rest, the minister said.
He expressed confidence that this intervention will help change that perception.
The signing of this agreement, the Minister said, is ‘yet another gesture’ of the Government of India’s support for Guyana’s socio-economic development since the two sides established diplomatic relations on May 26,1966.
Further, the inking of this agreement comes months after a similar one was signed in the United States of America between the EXIM Bank of India and the Guyana Government.
That agreement was for the acquisition of fixed and mobile drainage and irrigation pumps to serve Georgetown and its environs.
Health Minister Lawrence, in directing her comments to the EXIM Bank representative Prasad, extended gratitude to the lending institution.
She also assured the Indian High Commissioner, that this line of credit will be utilised by the Health Ministry to help in the fulfilment of its mandate of enhancing the delivery of Primary healthcare in Guyana.
She noted that Government’s health vision 2020 characterises a working and comprehensive Primary care programme since the administration recognises the impact that such a service has on the health-status of individuals.
“The ministry will work to ensure that this service reaches all of the communities in Guyana and that we cater adequately for their needs.”
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