GPHC turns to court again as vendors return despite previous removal effort

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has moved to the High Court in a fresh bid to force the Georgetown Mayor and City Council to remove vendors operating around the hospital, describing the situation as longstanding, worsening and repeatedly ignored.

In a Fixed Date Application filed on Tuesday, GPHC is seeking court orders compelling the Town Clerk and City authorities to remove food vendors, carts, stalls and other obstructions from key streets surrounding the hospital, including Lamaha, East, Middle and New Market streets .

The hospital, Guyana’s largest public health facility, says the continued presence of vendors is severely affecting operations, particularly emergency access and the movement of patients and staff.

According to court documents, the encumbrances have “impeded ingress to and egress from the Applicant’s facilities,” including access for emergency vehicles, while vendors also leave behind garbage and debris along the pavements .

The hospital detailed a series of efforts over the past year to have vendors removed, including multiple letters sent to City Hall in April, May and again in January this year requesting urgent action.

Despite assurances from the Mayor and City Council in 2024 that the matter would be addressed, the hospital says nothing meaningful was done.

“Several attempts were made… however, these attempts have proven futile,” the filing states .

In one exchange, City Hall indicated a willingness to work toward an “amicable solution,” but GPHC said no follow-up action materialised, forcing it to escalate the matter legally.

By January 2026, the hospital issued a final warning, demanding that all vendors be removed within three days and signalling its intention to approach the courts if the situation persisted.

Over the years, City Hall has conducted periodic removal exercises, often clearing vendors from the hospital’s immediate surroundings. However, those efforts have typically been short-lived, with vendors returning shortly after enforcement actions.

The court filing reinforces that pattern, noting that despite repeated engagements and past attempts to clear the area, the situation remains unresolved and continues to worsen.

GPHC argues that the persistence of the problem reflects a failure by the City authorities to enforce their own by-laws and statutory responsibilities.

In its application, the hospital is asking the court to order the Town Clerk and City Council to carry out their legal duties under the Municipal and District Councils Act and city by-laws to keep public roads and pavements clear.

The filing argues that this duty is “non-discretionary” and must be enforced, especially in an area as critical as a major public hospital .

GPHC also noted that it is unable to take direct action against individual vendors because it does not have the necessary particulars to pursue enforcement against them individually.

Instead, it says responsibility lies squarely with the City Constabulary and municipal authorities.

Beyond the legal arguments, the hospital is emphasising the broader public impact.

It warned that the ongoing congestion threatens not only hospital operations but public safety, particularly for patients seeking urgent medical care.

The orders being sought, GPHC said, would help restore public order in the area and benefit not just the hospital, but all residents of Georgetown .

The matter is expected to be heard before the High Court in the coming weeks.

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