The Ministry of Health has pushed back strongly against statements made by the President of the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA), Lemmel Thomas, at a recent United Nations forum, describing the remarks as misleading and not reflective of the reality on the ground.
In a detailed response, the Ministry said the comments ignore significant progress made in expanding healthcare access, particularly for Indigenous communities, and pointed to a series of investments and programmes rolled out over the past several years.
Central to the Ministry’s response is the stalled plan to construct a modern hospital in Kanarang, Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven.
Officials say the facility would have brought specialised care closer to residents, reduced the need for referrals to Georgetown, created hundreds of jobs, and improved overall health outcomes. However, the project did not advance after the APA discouraged community approval, a move the Ministry says ultimately deprived residents of critical services.
Despite that setback, the Ministry maintains that access to healthcare in hinterland communities has been steadily improving. It noted that health facilities are now present across Amerindian villages and satellite communities, many staffed by trained residents who are able to deliver care within their own communities.
Since 2020, the government has invested heavily in upgrading and modernising health infrastructure, including facilities in remote regions. Several centres have been elevated to provide higher levels of care, while new regional hospitals are under construction to further strengthen the system.
At the same time, there has been a deliberate push to train Indigenous citizens to serve in the healthcare system. Hundreds of persons from hinterland regions have already been trained and deployed, with more expected to join through ongoing programmes that offer scholarships, stipends and guaranteed employment.
The Ministry also pointed to the expansion of telemedicine services as a major step forward. Over the past two years, dozens of remote facilities have been equipped with the technology, allowing patients to access specialist consultations, including mental health support, without leaving their communities. Plans are in place to expand this network even further.
On emergency care, officials stressed that a fully operational medical evacuation system remains in place to ensure patients in critical condition can be transported quickly for advanced treatment. While some residents in border areas may opt for care in neighbouring countries due to proximity, the Ministry said Guyana’s system is structured to provide timely and appropriate referrals when needed.
The Ministry of Health reaffirmed its commitment to engaging Indigenous communities and ensuring that development efforts are inclusive, maintaining that its approach is focused on improving access, strengthening local capacity, and delivering modern healthcare services across all regions of the country.