GEORGETOWN, Guyana – President Irfaan Ali, Tuesday announced a five-year extension of the National Healthcare Initiative to transform Guyana’s public health system with world-class healthcare services accessible to every Guyanese citizen.
This next phase of the initiative, launched in 2022 by the government in collaboration with the Mount Sinai Health System and Hess Corporation, will include establishment of a national cancer center, continued modernization of national health facilities including Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), and the implementation of one of the world’s most advanced digital health systems.
A joint statement said that the continued collaboration will build on significant progress made in the first phase of the national healthcare initiative, where Mount Sinai supported the Guyana Ministry of Health in rolling out the government’s health system innovations, including over 35,000 child health screenings, the Ministry’s training programs that will graduate nearly 900 nursing assistants in 2025, and a new state-of-the-art pathology lab.
It said the initiative will continue to be funded jointly by Hess Corporation and the Guyana government and led by the Arnhold Institute for Global Health, the arm of Mount Sinai dedicated to advancing the institution’s mission of delivering innovative, high-quality healthcare around the globe, and Mount Sinai International, the international ventures arm of the Mount Sinai Health System.
President Ali was joined Tuesday by Dr Rachel Vreeman, Chair of Mount Sinai’s Department of Global Health and Health System Design and Director of the Arnhold Institute for Global Health at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and John Hess, chief executive officer of Hess Corporation, for a signing ceremony to establish the five-year extension of the national healthcare initiative.
“The journey to world-class healthcare is not walked alone – it is built through strategic partnerships, bold investments, and a shared vision for excellence. Today, we take another decisive step toward transforming our healthcare system.
“By uniting the policy, expertise and resources of Hess Corporation, Mount Sinai, and the Government, along with our local healthcare professionals, we are shaping a future where every citizen has access to cutting-edge, compassionate, and high-quality care. Together, we are not just improving healthcare – we are redefining it.” President Ali said.
“We are incredibly proud to work in partnership with the government of Guyana to improve access to high-quality healthcare for all Guyanese,” said Dr Vreeman.
“Now, through 2030, we will continue to support and accelerate Guyana’s progress to achieving a healthier country and a transformed health system, setting a new regional and global standard for modern health system development,” he added.
Hess said his company was proud to support the vision of the government and the work of Mount Sinai to provide world class healthcare to every Guyanese citizen.
“Access to affordable and high-quality healthcare is central to the country’s future and its commitment to building shared prosperity for the people of Guyana,” he added.
“At Mount Sinai, we believe global health is local health, and with the government of Guyana and the Hess Corporation, we’re building a public health system that ensures all citizens of Guyana – especially the most vulnerable – can live healthier, more productive lives,” said Professor Dr Brendan Carr, chief executive officer.
“This unique public-private partnership serves as a global model, and we are honored to be part of this transformational effort,” said Kenneth L. Davis, the Distinguished Chair of the Mount Sinai Health System.
The next phase of the national initiative will be organized around the government’s vision for six key pillars, including a world class cancer care; women’s and children’s hospital; community-centered care; quality improvement; as well as digital health and capacity building.
