A new $201.8 million health centre offering cervical cancer screening, HPV testing and chronic disease management opened its doors in Charlestown Friday, part of a Government push to bring quality healthcare closer to home for some 2,000 residents.
The commissioning ceremony was led by Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony, who was accompanied by Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Steven Jacobs, Director General of the Ministry of Health Dr Vishwa Mahadeo, regional health officials, healthcare workers and members of the community.
In his feature address, Dr Anthony said the Ministry of Health currently manages 405 health facilities across Guyana, including 10 in Georgetown, many of which required significant rehabilitation and modernisation.
He said the Government recognised that many facilities had infrastructural challenges and were not adequately equipped to provide the quality of care patients deserve, adding that upgrading health facilities across the country remains a priority.
Dr Anthony explained that the Charlestown Health Centre was completely rebuilt to provide a wider range of healthcare services in a modern setting. The facility houses dedicated spaces for maternal and child health, antenatal and postnatal care, childhood immunisation, chronic disease management, men’s and women’s health services, cervical cancer screening, HPV testing and other essential primary healthcare services.
The minister emphasised the importance of maintaining Guyana’s strong immunisation programme, noting that high vaccination coverage continues to protect children from preventable diseases, and urged parents to ensure their children receive all recommended vaccines.
He also highlighted the Ministry’s Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme, describing it as a critical component of Guyana’s strategy to eliminate cervical cancer.
Dr Anthony said cervical cancer is currently the second most common cancer affecting women in Guyana but is preventable, adding that increasing HPV vaccination coverage among boys and girls aged nine to 15 could eliminate the disease from the country.
He encouraged women to utilise the facility’s dedicated screening services, including HPV testing and Pap smears, stressing that early detection remains one of the most effective ways to prevent cervical cancer.
Addressing the country’s growing burden of non-communicable diseases, Dr Anthony urged residents, particularly men, to seek routine medical check-ups instead of waiting until illnesses become severe.
He explained that conditions such as diabetes and hypertension can be effectively managed when detected early, preventing serious complications including kidney failure, amputations, blindness and stroke.
“The services are available here in your community. We want people to come early, get screened, receive treatment if necessary and prevent complications before they occur,” he said.
The Health Minister added that the upgraded facility is designed to function as more than a traditional primary healthcare clinic, offering a broader range of services closer to home while reducing unnecessary hospital visits. Patients requiring specialised care will be referred to hospitals through an integrated referral system.
He also announced that the Ministry has begun piloting a digital appointment system at the Festival City Health Centre, through which patients can schedule appointments via a mobile application, reducing waiting times and improving efficiency. The Ministry intends to expand the initiative as part of its ongoing efforts to modernise healthcare delivery.
