Region 3 Health Services

26/06/2025

🇨🇳🤝🇬🇾 Advancing Surgical Care in Guyana: Region 3 Launches Collaboration with China Medical Team

WDRH, Region 3 – June 25, 2025

The Region 3 Health Services, in collaboration with the 19th China Medical Team stationed in Guyana, officially launched a new chapter in healthcare partnership this afternoon, focusing on advancing surgical services and deepening technical exchange. In a simple but meaningful ceremony, representatives from both teams gathered to mark the beginning of what is expected to be a transformative journey in surgical care delivery within the region.

This partnership aligns with a broader national strategy aimed at modernizing Guyana’s healthcare system through targeted collaborations, equipment upgrades, and workforce development. Central to this effort is the introduction of advanced laparoscopic procedures and capacity-building for local surgical teams.

A Legacy of Support

China’s commitment to Guyana’s health sector spans more than three decades, beginning with the arrival of the first China Medical Team in 1993. Since then, nearly 280 Chinese medical professionals have served in Guyana, providing care in specialties such as general surgery, orthopaedics, radiology, pediatrics, hepatobiliary surgery, nephrology, anesthesiology, plastic surgery, acupuncture, and more.

The current team, the 19th rotation, has treated over 13,000 patients and performed nearly 2,000 surgeries at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and the Linden Hospital Complex since their deployment in September 2023.

Surgical Excellence and Innovation

Among the most notable achievements of the China Medical Team in recent months is Guyana’s first-ever laparoscopic liver resection for metastatic colorectal cancer, and a series of complex laparoscopic pancreatic tumour resections, accomplished through meticulous planning and multidisciplinary collaboration at GPHC.

The team also led a “Surgery Week” initiative, during which they completed nearly 50 minimally invasive procedures while training local surgical staff in modern techniques.

To support these efforts, the Chinese government, through its partnership with CNOOC Guyana, donated a state-of-the-art 4CMOS fluorescence laparoscopic imaging system earlier this year. Valued at over US $60,000, this equipment has already enabled the country’s first fluorescence-guided biliary tract surgery, improving surgical accuracy, reducing complications, and accelerating patient recovery.

Empowering Local Teams

Capacity-building remains a cornerstone of this collaboration. The China Medical Team has embedded within local surgical units to facilitate direct mentorship and skills transfer. Guyanese physicians are also being supported in attending medical training programmes in China,ensuring the knowledge exchange is both sustainable and deeply rooted.

As GPHC CEO Dr. Robbie Rambarran aptly noted during a recent media address:
“Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime. That’s the philosophy behind this partnership.”

Health Equity and Outreach

Beyond the operating theatre, the China Medical Team has extended its services to remote and underserved communities. Since late 2023, the team has conducted 14 outreach clinics, offering medical consultations and screenings to over 3,400 residents, including cervical cancer screening and general wellness exams in partnership with the Ministry of Health.

This collaboration resonates deeply with Region 3’s vision for equitable access to care. Regional Health Officer Dr. Erica Forte emphasized, “Today is not just a ceremonial gesture,it is a promise. A promise that Region 3’s residents will benefit from cutting-edge care, delivered with compassion, and supported by global expertise.”

Looking Ahead

As the Region 3 Health Services and the China Medical Team move forward, their shared focus will remain on surgical innovation, staff development, and strengthening community-based care. The model is clear: partnership, precision, and people-centered delivery.

This collaboration underscores a powerful truth:healthcare, at its best, is built on shared knowledge, mutual respect, and the unyielding commitment to healing.

03/06/2025

25/05/2025

Empowering the Frontlines: Region 3 Nurses Receive Specialized Training through RHO and NAPS Collaboration

West Demerara, Guyana – May 20–23, 2025

In a transformative step toward enhancing the quality of healthcare delivery in Region 3, a four-day training session was successfully held from May 20th to 23rd at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) boardroom. This training, designed to build capacity among nursing and clinical staff, was made possible through a strategic collaboration between the Office of the Regional Health Officer (RHO) and the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS).

Bringing together over 25 nurses, midwives, and allied health professionals from across the region, the initiative focused on professional development, patient-centered care, and strengthening the region’s response to communicable and non-communicable diseases. The sessions addressed critical areas such as HIV care integration, infection prevention and control, ethical medical practices, documentation, respectful maternity care, and interpersonal communication.

A Strategic Investment in People and Public Health

This partnership between the RHO and NAPS reflects a growing recognition that health sector reform begins with strengthening the frontline workforce. Nurses are not only caregivers,they are often the first point of contact for patients, and their role in treatment, education, and prevention is irreplaceable.

“This training represents our shared commitment to a stronger, more compassionate, and more effective health system,” said Dr. Erica Forte, Regional Health Officer of Region 3. “With the support of NAPS, we were able to tailor this programme to meet the real and urgent needs of our nurses,not just in theory, but in daily practice.”

By incorporating modules on HIV stigma reduction and confidentiality, the training also aligned with national public health goals to eliminate discrimination and improve access to care for vulnerable populations.

A Space for Learning, Sharing, and Growing

Beyond the classroom-style sessions, the training created a safe space for dialogue and peer learning. Participants engaged in scenario-based activities and team-building exercises that helped break down barriers and build trust among healthcare workers from different facilities.

“I feel more confident and more connected with my colleagues,” shared one nurse. “It was a space to grow, not just professionally but personally. I feel proud to be a part of this movement for better care.”

The atmosphere throughout the four days was one of reflection, rejuvenation, and recommitment to the core values of healthcare: empathy, integrity, and excellence.

Region 3 Leading by Example

This joint initiative is part of Region 3’s broader vision to strengthen all levels of healthcare,from community-based health posts to regional hospitals. By investing in both infrastructure and the people who make the system work, the region is setting a national example of what it means to deliver people-centered, equitable healthcare.

The training ended on a high note with words of encouragement from senior health officials, and renewed pledges to uphold the principles of quality care and professional responsibility.

As Region 3 continues to advance its public health agenda, partnerships like the one between the RHO and NAPS are a testament to what is possible when vision meets collaboration.
Together, we are not only training nurses, we are building a healthier, stronger Guyana.

17/04/2025

Region #3 Supervisory Training for Health Centers

This training initiative in Region #3 is designed to enhance the leadership skills and knowledge of healthcare professionals across various levels. The focus is on strengthening their ability to effectively manage patient care, foster team collaboration, and drive improved organizational performance. By equipping supervisors with essential leadership tools, the program aims to create a more efficient, responsive, and patient-centered healthcare environment.

17/04/2025

The Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team (LAMAT) 2025, led by AFSOUTH Surgeon General, embedded Air Force Reserve Command medical personnel within the host nation hospitals and clinics across the Lesser Antilles region and Guyana. These Global Health Engagements enhance military readiness, strengthen partner nation healthcare systems, and foster resilience through expertise sharing and collaboration with local providers.
The team, comprised of Air Force and Army personnel, completed their mission to Guyana on Friday. They provided high-quality medical, surgical, ophthalmological and dental care to some 1,721 Guyanese patients and performed some 480 surgeries over two weeks.

They offered these critical services at the Port Mourant Hospital, the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital, the West Demerara Regional Hospital, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and the Cheddi Jagan Dental School.

28/03/2025

Introduction of our Region 3 universal voucher coordinators led by the RHO, Dr Erica Forte.
The Ministry of Health is proud to announce the introduction of the Universal Health Voucher valued at $10,000. This voucher is for everyone and allows for early screening tests of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). This new initiative, introduced as a directive by His Excellency Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, will benefit all people across the nation.

22/02/2025

The management of the West Demerara Regional Hospital is aware of a post made by Big Smith News Watch earlier this evening involving a female that came to have a police medical done claiming abuse and asked the staff for a response:

While in a busy ER this evening, a patient rushed in with a police medical in hand and demanded urgent care since she was sent by the police. The male doctor was at the time seeing an eclamptic patient who had 3 previous seizures today. He facilitated the patient by hearing her story and then asked her to hold on outside in the triage area. The patient came into the ER once again to me within less than 2 minutes while I was seeing a 1yr child with very high temperatures (102). Again, she was facilitated. She was assessed and found to have a 2-day-old scratch mark to the dorsal aspect of the left hand and no other injuries. She was advised that she will not be seen immediately since we were both busy with critical patients, but that she can wait in triage where a nurse will assess her vitals and further intervention will be performed accordingly. The patient, who was very agitated by this response, was also advised that if she is unwilling to wait, she can return to the OPD another day.
We would urge members of the media to be a bit more prudent in their reporting as this can cause an unnecessary bias against the health care services offered
Dr. Frank Anthony Erica Forte Hon Deodat Indar MP Priya Manickchand

04/02/2025

Confidential process with our dedicated team!!

07/11/2024

06/11/2024

31/10/2024

Children of the SEND school at schoonard observe Breast Cancer Awareness by participating in a sip and paint activity facilitated by Miss Sharon Jethu and her team. The Regional Executive Officer, Mr Devanand Ramdatt and the Regional Health Officer, Dr. Erica Forte happily partook in the fun.

31/10/2024