‘Ignore procurement rules and you’ll be fired’ …Pres. Ali warns health officials

Jun 09, 2026 News

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(Kaieteur News) – President Irfaan Ali on Monday issued a stern warning to public health officials, declaring that anyone who bypasses the established medical procurement system will be dismissed.

The warning came during a meeting at State House, where the President reviewed the government’s major investments aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery across Guyana.

During the engagement President Ali put health officials on notice that his administration demands value for money, particularly in the health sector.

President Ali emphasised the need for hospitals and health centres to maintain adequate stocks of medicines and medical supplies, while ensuring high standards of service and patient care.

On the heels of allegations of unjustified procurement practices by health officials in some regions, President Ali at the meeting cautioned that officials will be terminated for not following clear procedures as they relate to the procurement of pharmaceuticals, particularly emergency purchases.

“We have invested heavily in medical supplies and pharmaceuticals and there is no reason why any health center should not have above 90% availability every single day of the year. There is absolutely no reason,” Ali said.

He outlined that the government has invested in a system at the Materials Management Unit (MMU) with clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

“All the regional health officers, the hospitals administrators, you’ll be held accountable based on that system. Anybody who works outside of that system, outside of the SOPs in that system, you will be sent home. I’m just going to repeat that. Anyone who works outside of the system is established at the MMU,” the president noted.

As it relates to emergency purchases, Ali noted, “There are clear procedures as to who must sign off. There is where the Director of Regional Health Services, the Chief Medical Officer, all would have defined responsibilities.”

Ali noted that the centralized inventory system which will be operational on July 1, is designed as a dashboard so that public health officials will be able to see what is available.

“You can be aware of what is available and if you act outside of that, we will have no other choice but to send you home,” the president reiterated. He underscored that the goal of the new system is to minimize the loss of drugs through expiration, damage and overstocking.

“There is absolutely no situation where the regions must be purchasing emergency drugs, unless there is a clear sign-off on the system by the Director of Regional Health Services and the Chief Medical Officer and the head of the MMU. Those three persons have to sign off completely,” Ali noted.

To further curb issues in emergency drug procurement, President Ali stated that once every month, Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary Malcolm M. Watkins, Director of Regional Health Services (DRHS) Dr. Cerdel McWatt, the Director of the MMU and other officials will convene via Zoom with the country’s health officials to determine whether emergency supplies are needed.

Moreover, Ali noted that training is now being completed in some regions in relation to how the system works. He also noted that the new system will require changes in the regional health offices.

During the meeting, President Ali stressed that quality healthcare is about customer service, patient management, facilities management and not only about the medical component. He reminded Regional Health Officers and hospital administrators, that it is their duty to ensure citizens receive the best possible care at the country’s health facilities.

“These facilities come under your leadership, the washroom, the waiting area, the way the security handle people, the nurses, the front desk. All of these things in the system, all of these things have a design to ensure patient comfort, safety, and patient experience and this is critical for us. We are building a world-class healthcare system, not only by the level of service and amount of service we offer but also by the way we care for our patients, by the way we treat patients, by the way we manage, by our level of transparency and accountability,” he added.

In addition, President Ali also addressed other issues and concerns in the health sector. He disclosed that within two weeks a meeting will be held to look at the disparities that exist during the salary adjustment in terms of doctors, nurses, and consultants.

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• medical procurement system, President Irfaan Ali, procurement rules, public health officials

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