Latest update April 3rd, 2026 12:35 AM
Govt. rollouts eHealth Record System at Festival City Polyclinic
(Kaieteur News) – The Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Health and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), on Saturday officially launched the National Electronic Health Record (EHR) System, which is currently being piloted at the Festival City Polyclinic.
The Electronic Health Record system, commonly referred to as eHEALTH, represents the first phase of implementation under the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Healthcare Network Strengthening Programme. The IDB is providing USD$3.3 million in funding for the implementation of the EHR system.
The launch of the National Electronic Health Record (EHR) System, which is currently being piloted at the Festival City Polyclinic.
In March 2025, the Health Ministry signed a contract with RioMed Limited, a UK-registered company, to develop and implement the new EHR.
The National EHR system is designed to provide comprehensive and secure digital platform for capturing, storing, managing, and sharing patient health information. Through its integrated functionalities, the system will enhance the quality and continuity of patient care, streamline healthcare processes, and improve communication and coordination among healthcare providers across the network.
The EHR system is said to remove the paper-based record keeping in the health system.
Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony who delivered the feature address said that Guyana has long had the vision of having electronic health records. He recalled that in the early 2000s, a consultant who was funded by the IDB visited Guyana to examine the system and provide advice.
From then to now, the minister said that several factors hindered the government from rolling out the electronic system.
Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony
“Over the last couple of years, and just coming out of COVID, we decided that this is something that is very important because we recognise that during COVID, to manage patients, and to understand what was going on with patients across this country [was difficult].”
“So we recognize that having an electronic health record system is absolutely important and as soon as we finish dealing with COVID, one of the government’s first priority was how can we implement this digital health record system,” he said on Saturday.
Minister Anthony noted that his ministry recognizes the inconvenience persons face when visiting public health institutions and the long hours waiting to get a hold of their records.
However, he said that with this new system, those times would be reduced to seconds making the process to see a doctor and receive care seamless.
“We are going to release an app, so you go on your smart phone and you will be able to get all of your records on your phones, that is very important because we want these things to be accessible,” Dr. Anthony disclosed.
As the EHR is rolled across the public sector, the minister disclosed that efforts are going to be made to engage the private hospitals to have the system integrated.
“So, there will be no difference with getting treated in Lethem and then in Georgetown or wherever you are living because all would be on the same platform. And then we will work with the private sector to integrate this so that as a country, everybody’s record would be available,” the minister said.
Further, speaking about patient’s information being kept confidential, the Minister referenced the Data Protection Act, which imposes a fine of $20 million for individuals found sharing patient’s information, and a $100 million fine for institutions involved in these activities.
CEO of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Mr. Robbie Rambarran.
“So, this thing is not a joke, people’s information must be kept confidentially and that is why the penalties for breaching that confidence is going to be very, very high,” Dr. Anthon emphasized.
Additionally, the minister said he understands that the EHR system is new and will take some getting use to. As a result, he asked that the technology be embraced as it comes with many benefits.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GPHC, Mr. Robbie Rambarran also spoke of the importance of the EHR system and how it will improve the delivery of healthcare services.
He shared that in April, officials will meet to have some of GPHC’s services paperless.
Noting that the new Campbellville Polyclinic will open sometime in May and the new Industry Polyclinic will be completed by year end, Rambarran disclosed “So by the end of the year, we should have all the facilities including Georgetown Public Hospital paperless.”
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