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The long wait for pathology results is no more as the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation made a milestone achievement by becoming ISO 15189 plus accredited.

On Wednesday, during a ceremony at the Dr. Yesu Persaud building, the hospital was presented with the certificate, following a robust programme with Accreditation Canada Diagnostics. The ISO 15189 accreditation certificate is considered the ‘gold standard’ of the medical certificates and makes possible the improved turnaround time for test results from months to just six days.

GPHC’s Chief Executive Officer, Robbie Rambarran said this process was a “long-awaited” accomplishment that represents their quality, technical competence and commitment to laboratory medicine.

“Pathology was a top priority because I do understand the significance of the work they were doing while many were associating the pathology lab with the dead.

“In healthcare every test result carries immense responsibility, a family depending on us for timely and precise information, ISO accreditation ensures them that our processes meet international recommended standards,” Rambarran said.

The pathology laboratory has improved from a dilapidated facility to becoming Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) ISO 170 2022 certified.

To become the first public health care facility in Guyana accredited with this, the laboratory underwent several upgrades and audits to ensure it meets the requirements. The medical laboratory and medical imaging are expected to also become accredited in 2026.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony said this achievement complements the government’s vision of building out a world-class healthcare system. Importantly, the minister emphasised the tremendous work that is now possible as the time for test results will be shortened.

“Think about a cancer patient for example, that you take the biopsy and then you have to wait atleast three months to get the results. Imagine how much that patient would worry.

“We have changed that because now we are able to give back those results in a very timely manner,” the Health Minister said.

He added that the laboratory will now be able to conduct several tests that it was not able to prior to this. Samples of tumors will be able to get checked at the hospital rather than being sent elsewhere. The minister said the confidence this accreditation provides will assist with achieving benchmarks not just locally but within the Caribbean region as well.

 

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All-rounder Jonathan Van Lange and fellow Guyanese, wicketkeeper/batter Shamar Apple, have been named in the West Indies 15-member squad for the 2026 Under-19 World Cup in Namibia and Zimbabwe.

Cricket West Indies on Wednesday announced the squad that will compete in the January 15 to February 6 tournament.

Full Squad: Joshua Dorne (captain), Jewel Andrew, Shamar Apple, Shaquan Belle, Zachary Carter, Tanez Francis, R’jai Gittens, Vitel Lawes, Micah McKenzie, Matthew Miller, Isra-el Morton, Jakeem Pollard, Aadian Racha, Kunal Tilokani and Jonathan Van Lange.

Reserves: Brendan Boodoo, Tyriek Bryan, Earsinho Fontaine and Deshawn James.

Team Management Unit: Head Coach- Rohan Nurse; Assistant Coach- Jerome Taylor; Assistant Coach- Nikita Miller; Physiotherapist- Kwayne Dalrymple; Strength and Conditioning Coach- Shayne Cooper; Team Doctor- Dr. Dwain Archibald; and Manager – Clint St Hill.

The West Indies Under-19 squad

See below release issued by Cricket West Indies

Cricket West Indies (CWI) today announced the West Indies Rising Stars Men’s Under-19 squad for the 2026 ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup taking place in Namibia and Zimbabwe from 15 January to 6 February 2026.

The 15-member squad features several players who impressed during the 2025 regional competitions and international preparatory series, including the recently concluded seven-match Youth One-Day International series against England in Grenada and the seven match series against Sri Lanka in August and September. Both series were won by the West Indies, 5-2 and 4-3, respectively.

Top-order batter Joshua Dorne has been named captain, continuing his rise after a standout year across regional competitions and youth internationals, while all-rounder Jonathan van Lange has been appointed vice-captain.

Several players have already represented West Indies at youth level, including Dorne and Jewel Andrew, who represented the region at the 2024 edition.

Earlier this year, Andrew became the youngest player to represent the senior team in T20Is and also holds the record for ODIs which he claimed last October.

CWI’s High Performance Manager Dwain Gill elaborated on the selection process saying, “This squad is the product of a deliberate and well-structured preparation and selection process. Performances in regional Under-17 and Under-19 competitions were closely monitored, with an emphasis on identifying players with specialist skills and the adaptability required for international cricket.”

On the squad selected for the World Cup, Gill noted, “In assembling this group, we have aligned their development with the style of play we expect at the senior level, ensured exposure to high-quality match opportunities and placed a strong focus on leadership, tactical awareness and individual support within their territories.”

“The result is a balanced and competitive squad, well positioned to perform at the Under-19 World Cup and contribute meaningfully to the long-term future of West Indies cricket.”

In addition to Dorne and Van Lange, the team will rely on the experience of Zachary Carter, Matthew Miller, Jakeem Pollard, Shaquan Belle and Vitel Lawes, who all played starring roles during both home series against Sri Lanka and England.

Micah McKenzie made his List A debut for the West Indies Academy against the Sri Lanka Emerging Men’s team in June and recently received his maiden cap for Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the 2025 CG United Super 50 Cup.

Sixteen-year-old Shamar Apple was drafted into the Guyana Harpy Eagles squad for the tournament and along with Mckenzie, joined the England series for the final two games, with both players maintaining their places for the global showpiece in January.

West Indies have been drawn in Group D alongside South Africa, Afghanistan and Tanzania. All group matches will be played at the High-Performance Oval in Windhoek, Namibia. Ahead of the tournament, they will play warm-up matches against Ireland and Japan in Windhoek.

The top three teams from each group will advance to the Super Six phase followed by the Semi-Finals on 3 and 4 February, and the Final on 6 February at Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe.

Match Schedule

Warm Up Games:

West Indies vs Ireland – January 10- Wanderers Cricket Ground, Windhoek

West Indies vs Japan – January 13- United Ground, Windhoek

Group Stage:

West Indies vs Tanzania – January 15 @ 3:30 AM (AST)/ 2:30 AM (JAM)

West Indies vs Afghanistan – January 18 @ 3:30 AM (AST)/ 2:30 AM (JAM)

West Indies vs South Africa – January 22 @ 3:30 AM (AST)/ 2:30 AM (JAM)

 

 

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Drivers who fail to adhere to the speed limit on the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge will begin receiving speeding tickets from Thursday, as newly installed speed cameras and radar systems become fully operational.

Traffic Chief Mahendra Singh said on Wednesday that the system is already working and is undergoing final certification, which is expected to be completed within 24 hours. The speed limit on the bridge is 80 km/h.

“It is working. It will be certified in 24 hours counting from today (Wednesday) and by tomorrow (Thursday) morning it will be fully functional with tickets being issued to each speeding motorist who exceeds the limit that prevails at the space at the time,” Singh told the News Room.

Once certified, tickets will be automatically generated for those who exceed the posted speed limits on the bridge.

According to Singh, the enforcement initiative is aimed at addressing persistent speeding, as drivers frequently take advantage of open stretches of the bridge to travel at excessive speeds.

“Drivers would take every opportunity in every space to speed unnecessarily, leading to accidents which could have been prevented,” he said.

Traffic Chief, Mahendra Singh

The speed radar signs form part of broader traffic-calming measures intended to improve compliance and reduce the severity of crashes.

“The speed radar signs are traffic-calming measures which help to align and establish speed limits and allow drivers to make adjustments when needed,” Singh added.

He noted that the bridge’s design and long span make it particularly susceptible to speeding, necessitating strict enforcement.

“This bridge, owing to its design and the span, has the potential for drivers to speed. Speeding leads to most of our accidents, and placing the emphasis on safety is important,” he told the News Room.

The rollout of speed cameras and radar speed signs on the bridge is part of a wider road-safety initiative led by the National Data Management Authority in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force.

Under the Government’s Safe Road Intelligent System (SRIS), launched earlier this year, radar-enabled cameras detect and record speeding violations in real time, while electronic speed signs serve as traffic-calming tools by increasing driver awareness.

Once a vehicle exceeds the posted speed limit, the SRIS platform automatically generates a ticket. Motorists whose contact details are registered with the Guyana Revenue Authority will receive notifications via SMS or email, while others will receive physical tickets delivered to their registered addresses.

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Guyana has lost a legend with the passing of Ron Robinson, a devoted blood donor and a key figure in the country’s public health campaigns, according to Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and former Minister of Health.

In a moving tribute, Dr. Ramsammy highlighted Robinson’s significant contributions to the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS), where he became an icon for his selfless dedication to blood donation. Robinson, who donated more than 100 units of blood over his lifetime, was recognized as a champion blood donor and played a critical role in promoting voluntary blood donation across Guyana.

“With his passing, Guyana has also lost an avid blood donor. Ron was family at the National Blood Transfusion Service,” Dr. Ramsammy said. “He was a simple, humble man, but found a way to quietly and graciously make a difference in the lives of his Guyanese sisters and brothers.”

Dr. Ramsammy reflected on the transformation of Guyana’s blood donation system during his tenure as Minister of Health, a period marked by the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS. At the time, Guyana’s blood donation system was heavily reliant on coercive methods, collecting fewer than 2,000 units of blood annually.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy

By 2010, however, through public health efforts and a shift toward voluntary donation, annual blood collections surpassed 10,000 units. Robinson’s contributions to this shift were critical.

“His communication experience and talents became an asset for public health,” Dr. Ramsammy noted.

“Ron’s major contributions to the education and awareness programs in public health contributed to a ‘golden era’ for public health’s education and awareness programmes.”

Robinson’s dedication to public health was evident not only in his personal commitment to blood donation but also in his tireless work to raise awareness about the importance of voluntary donations.

Robinson’s legacy extends far beyond his work with the blood transfusion service. A well-known figure in radio, television, and theatre, he was regarded as one of the best in the region.

His contributions to the creative arts, particularly to Guyana’s “orange” economy, continue to inspire.

Dr. Ramsammy also reflected on Robinson’s long-time presence in radio, noting that he had been a “giant presence” in the lives of those in his generation. “For almost all of my more than 65 years of radio experiences, Ron was a giant presence,” he said.

In closing, Dr. Ramsammy expressed his sorrow over the loss, offering condolences to Robinson’s family and friends.

“Guyana has lost a legend. I have lost a friend,” he said. “We pray that Ron walks well in heaven.”

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FIFA has announced a 50% increase in the prize money it will award to participating teams at next year’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

It forms the bulk of a record $727m (£544.8m) financial distribution that the governing body’s council has approved as a result of the tournament.

The winners of the event will receive $50m (£37.4m), with the runners-up being awarded $33m (£24.7m). Those who fail to progress beyond the group stage will get $9m (£6.7m).

In addition, each qualified team will receive $1.5m (£1.1m) to cover preparation costs, meaning that all participating member associations are each guaranteed at least $10.5m (£7.8m).

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the payments showed the World Cup would “be groundbreaking in terms of its financial contribution to the global football community”.

The announcement comes a day after FIFA introduced a small number of £45 tickets for all 104 matches at the World Cup following widespread criticism of its pricing structure for the tournament.

Tom Greatrex, chair of the Football Supporters’ Association said: “The record prize fund demonstrates there is no shortage of money associated with the World Cup.

“It is not too late for FIFA to avoid the catastrophic error of all but killing what is special about the World Cup.

“They should act now.”

The partial climbdown was welcomed by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, but he also encouraged FIFA to do more to make tickets more affordable.

FIFA’s council also approved the establishment of a post-conflict recovery fund “in line with [its] objective of promoting football’s unifying values. It said this followed “the announcement made by President Infantino at the Sharm El-Sheikh Summit for Peace on October 13, 2025 that FIFA intended to create a support mechanism for regions that have experienced conflict”.

“This financial instrument, which will be open to third-party contributions and be subject to strict oversight, will complement action already implemented under the FIFA Forward Programme and other FIFA initiatives.” (BBC)

 

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The University of Guyana’s School of Entrepreneurship & Business Innovation (SEBI) has announced the development of a Master’s degree programme in Transportation Management, commencing in February 2026. The programme was developed in response to the growing challenges surrounding transportation, logistics, new road construction, and productivity in a modernising economy.

The comprehensive and rigorous 39-credit programme may be completed within either two years as a full-time student or three years as a part-time student, with a curriculum covering areas such as Transportation Policy & Planning, Artificial Intelligence & Transportation Planning, Public Transport Management, Fundamentals of Transportation Security, and Transportation Geography & the Environment. Participants will also gain practical experience through attachments with several public and private sector agencies.

Dean of SEBI, Prof. Leyland Lucas, thanked colleagues within the University, especially Deans Paulette Bynoe and Linda Johnson-Bhola, as well as Drs. Jana Sarran and Oluwasinaayomi Faith Kasim, for their contributions to developing the rigorous and intense futuristic programme.

Prof. Lucas also highlighted the importance of this programme in helping to address many of the transportation and productivity challenges within Guyana. He noted that “difficulties in transportation have both economic and non-economic costs and affect the competitiveness of our society. With major expansion in housing along the main corridors, increased civilian vehicular ownership, significant road construction projects, and the need for enhanced port capabilities, persons must be trained to properly develop and manage our transportation system. The rapid transformation of Guyanese society demands a very different approach to transportation management,” Prof. Lucas said.

University of Guyana’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Paloma Mohamed Martin, expressed her enthusiasm about the commencement of the futuristic programme, describing it as “a critical response to the training needs of the country and region. This programme joins a number of new generation programmes which have been developed by the University to be offered early in 2026.”

The Master of Science in Transportation Management programme commences in February 2026 and is open to qualified individuals who have graduated from an accredited tertiary institution. The programme will be offered in a hybrid mode and will employ both local and foreign faculty, primarily because of the skills gap currently faced by the University of Guyana (UG), while SEBI identifies local faculty to meet programme needs.

Interested persons are kindly asked to contact Prof. Leyland Lucas, Dean, School of Entrepreneurship & Business Innovation, on Tel: 592 642 7322 or email: leyland.lucas@uog.edu.gy. [UG Press Release]

 

 

 

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Four persons were charged and granted bail for reportedly obtaining $15 million by false pretense.

The accused are Trevon Lancelot Simpson, 40, a contractor of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara; Stephan James, 42, a porter of Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown; Andrew Williams, 38, a real estate agent of Triumph, East Coast Demerara; and Abeeka Archer, 40, a land surveyor, also of Soesdyke.

The offence is alleged to have occurred between November 10 and November 26, 2025, at Durban Street, Georgetown.

On Monday, the four appeared before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where the charge of Obtaining Money by False Pretense, contrary to Section 194 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01, was read to them. All four pleaded not guilty.

Bail was granted in the sum of $100,000 each for Simpson, James and Williams, while Archer was released on her own recognizance.

The matter has been adjourned to January 26, 2026, for further proceeding

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It has been more than 30 years since West Indies last won a Test in New Zealand, a drought captain Roston Chase has repeatedly highlighted during the ongoing three-match series.

The visitors have shown they possess a bowling attack capable of unsettling New Zealand’s batters, but their own batting has failed to function in unison, apart from the second-innings rearguard in the first Test – aided in part by New Zealand being without two frontline fast bowlers through injury.

That imbalance explains West Indies’ decision to strengthen their batting for the Mount Maunganui Test, with Alick Athanaze replacing the injured Ojay Shields in the playing XI.

Yet, no single change can mask a deeper batting problem that has forced West Indies into repeated introspection. Chase himself averages under 16 with the bat as captain, and, beyond Shai Hope and Justin Greaves, contributions have been sporadic.

Instability caused by form and injury has only compounded the issue. On the eve of the third Test, Chase said West Indies would target 300 in their first innings.

While that figure may appear modest, it is a realistic benchmark in Mount Maunganui, where early seam movement is typical, and spin increasingly comes into play as matches wear on – a trend underlined by New Zealand including Ajaz Patel in their squad for the match.

Although captain Tom Latham stopped short of confirming his XI, even without Ajaz, the spin options of Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra could be enough against a fragile batting order.

New Zealand will also hope their pace resources hold up, with Jacob Duffy and Zak Foulkes having shouldered heavy workloads following in-game injuries to Matt Henry, Nathan Smith and Blair Tickner across the first two Tests.

From a batting point of view, there’s a lot to improve on; but collectively, New Zealand are still much stronger than the visitors.

The hosts will look to make it 2-0 after victory in the second Test in Wellington, while West Indies arrive with ample motivation and plenty to prove. But whether the visitors possess the skillset required to win in these conditions remains the big question.

Team news

Wicketkeeper-batter Tom Blundell has recovered from the hamstring injury that forced him to miss the Wellington Test, and looks set to walk back into the XI. So Mitchell Hay, despite scoring a debut half-century in the second Test, has been released from the New Zealand side.

Left-arm spinner Ajaz replaced the injured Blair Tickner in the squad, but Latham said the decision on whether he plays will be made on match day.

There could also be a toss up between Phillips and Michael Bracewell for the spin-bowling all-rounder’s role.

New Zealand (probable): Devon Conway, Tom Latham (capt), Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryll Mitchell, Glenn Phillips/Michael Bracewell, Tom Blundell (wk), Zak Foulkes, Michael Rae, Jacob Duffy, Ajaz Patel.

West Indies have announced their XI, and barring any last-minute changes, the only swap is Athanaze, known for his comfort against spin bowling, replacing the injured seamer Shields.

Chase has said he would bowl himself more in spinning conditions. Tagenarine Chanderpaul remains unavailable.

West Indies: John Campbell, Brandon King, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Alick Athanaze, Justin Greaves, Roston Chase (capt), Tevin Imlach (wk), Kemar Roach, Anderson Phillip, Jayden Seales. (ESPNcricinfo)

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Caribbean champion Terron Wintz is set to spearhead the New Amsterdam Boxing Academy’s challenge at the Guyana Boxing Association’s (GBA) Terrence Ali  National Open Championship, scheduled for December 19-21.

This is according to head coach Jeff Roberts, who expressed confidence in his squad’s ability to compete at a high level, pointing to a blend of youth, discipline, and growing experience within the academy.

Terron Wintz is widely regarded as one of Guyana’s most promising young amateur boxers

“We have a solid team that I believe will give a very good account of themselves,” Roberts said, while singling out Wintz’ determination to further establish himself as the country’s leading welterweight (67kg).

Wintz, widely regarded as one of Guyana’s most promising young amateur boxers and an employee of Queensway Security, enjoyed a breakthrough year on the regional stage.

Competing in St. Lucia, he captured gold at the Caribbean Championship and was also named Best Boxer in his division, a testament to his technical skill, composure and ring intelligence.

The 19-year-old Berbician also claimed a title at the OECS Championship, again held in St. Lucia, where he was crowned the tournament’s Best Elite Boxer, further underlining his rapid rise and consistency at the international level.

The New Amsterdam Boxing Academy’s contingent will also feature 17-year-old Jofes Jackson, who will compete in the middleweight division, and 15-year-old Curt Mahase, who is entered in the featherweight (54kg) category.

Both young boxers are expected to gain valuable experience against seasoned opposition.

In the schoolboys divisions, Curtis McDonald will contest the lightweight class, while Ukesh Persaud, 13, will compete in the 31kg category.

He will be joined by 14-year-old Richard Persaud, who is entered in the 45kg division, as the academy continues to invest in long-term development at the grassroots level.

Reflecting on the academy’s growth, Roberts noted that the New Amsterdam Boxing Academy is just two years old, but has already made encouraging strides.

He explained that while training is currently based at the Glasgow Housing Scheme, plans are in place to relocate to Angoy’s Avenue once a new gym, currently under construction by the government, is completed.

“I promise to make Berbice great again in the sport of boxing,” Roberts added, highlighting his commitment to building a sustainable boxing programme in Region Six.

Meanwhile, GBA President Steve Ninvalle said he is enthusiastic about the upcoming National Open Championship, noting that early indications suggest gyms across the country are working tirelessly to close out the year on a high note.

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