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March 27, 2026
The local health sector is set for significant upgrades as the Health Ministry continues to implement measures boosting the country’s testing capabilities. This was related by Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony during the consideration of budget estimates at the 100th sitting of the National Assembly on Wednesday.
Responding to questions posed by shadow health minister, Dr. Karen Cummings, Dr Anthony told the House that the pathology lab recently accredited at the Guyana Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) will now be able to conduct 14 histochemistry tests that will identify cancer complications, differentiate the type of complications and provide sample returns within a timely manner.
Minister Anthony explained that just a year ago, it took the health facility three months to return a biopsy for breast cancer, whereas with the new facility, patients’ samples will be returned within three to seven days.
The minister said that in the past breast cancer was tested in a “crude way”, whereby the hospital had the ability to determine whether the cancer existed but was unable to determine which type of cancer existed. Given this capability, the minister pointed out that doctors will be better equipped to provide the relevant medication based on the type of cancer affecting the patient.
Additionally, the new testing facility will be able to provide results in a timely manner even if the patient is laying on the operating table. Dr Anthony also noted that if the operating doctors are trying to determine the cancer to be removed, they could now take a sample of the tissue to the pathology lab and have the results in as little as 20 minutes.
Another feature of the laboratory, the House heard, is its telepathology capabilities where medical slides could be digitalised and shared with medical colleagues located anywhere in the world. This feature was deemed significant as doctors and patients would be able to have a second opinion on diagnoses.
In addition, the minister related that the ministry is in the process of developing HLA testing, an ability that would allow for the matching of organ and tissue recipients with compatible donors. Prior to this, all such samples were sent to the US to be done at a hefty cost of US$3,500 per sample. It was noted that the ministry is working to not only be able to match recipients with live donors but also with deceased donors. To facilitate this, the minister said a registry of organ donors would be needed as well as the HLA capability.
Minister Anthony said that the capabilities developed here will not only service Guyanese but would be able to help health sectors regionally. The facility’s ability is parallel to none in the region, the minister opined.
