Leonora, Mabaruma SMART Hospitals to be commissioned soon 

Within weeks, residents of Regions One and Three will benefit from improved healthcare with SMART upgrades to the Leonora and Mabaruma Hospitals.

Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony on Tuesday said that the upgrades to both hospitals are complete.

“We are hoping we can get these two commissioned later this month, if not later this month, early next month,” Dr Anthony said.

These upgrades are being done through the US$4.2 million SMART hospital project, which will see hospitals across Guyana being converted into climate-resilient facilities that use more solar energy and stored water.

The project is being funded by the UK Government and managed here by the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO).

Upgrades were done to the Operating Theatre, the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), the Recovery Room, and the Maternity Wards at both facilities.

“We have had five facilities being constructed under this particular project,” Dr Anthony said.

Thus far, upgrades to the Diamond Hospital in Region Four and the Lethem Hospital in Region Nine has been completed.

The Paramakatoi District Hospital in Region Eight is the final hospital to be upgraded under the project.

The $44.4 million contract was awarded to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to upgrade the facility in November 2021.

“We have a partnership with the Guyana Defence Force who would be doing the construction of this particular district hospital,” Dr Anthony said.

It is expected that the hospital will be completed by mid-year.