Blog

The National Health Information Systems and Technology (HIST) workforce development programme was officially launched on Thursday at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown, marking a major step in Guyana’s digital healthcare transformation. Funded by the US$100 million Greater Guyana Initiative, this programme aims to enhance patient care, build local capacity, and strengthen key components of the health sector.

HIST is more than just a training initiative; it is a strategic investment in the future of healthcare, designed to modernise the sector with digital solutions that enable seamless patient care.

Director of Mount Sinai – Guyana, Dr Rachel Vreeman, said that in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Mount Sinai is establishing a Guyana Digital Health Training Institute to build the workforce necessary to support new digital health initiatives, including the national electronic health records system.

“This is not just about having more IT specialists for the country. This initiative is providing the resources to really grow the capacity of the public health clinical staff and of leaders such as physicians and hospital administrators, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to strategically implement digital health solutions for Guyana,” Dr Vreeman said, as she applauded the Greater Guyana Initiative for recognising the critical role digital technology will play in advancing the sector.

L-R: Director of Mount Sinai – Guyana, Dr Rachel Vreeman; Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony and Lead of the Greater Guyana Initiative, Alicia Bess-Anderson

The programme will provide tuition-free training for individuals across all ten regions, using a modular curriculum developed with cutting-edge content. It will offer stipends during training, guarantee direct employment upon completion, and accept students without prior IT experience, preparing them with the skills needed to contribute to the new digital systems.

“It is going to have what we call a scalable training applied model,” Dr Vreeman explained. She said the programme will have a direct impact on scaling up digital health systems.

Mount Sinai, along with the Ministry of Health, is working on developing the curriculum for the programme.

The plan is for the Guyana Digital Health Training Institute to be fully integrated into the Ministry of Health in the future.

“It will not only serve as this critical resource for Guyana but for the entire Caribbean as this initiative progresses,” Dr Vreeman said.

Lead of the Greater Guyana Initiative, Alicia Bess-Anderson, spoke about the programme’s ambitious goals.

“Under this transformational programme, over 250 health information systems and technology workers will be trained to implement, manage, and maintain the national electronic health records system, which will serve as the foundation for establishing a centre of excellence, producing trained HIST professionals to serve Guyana and beyond,” Bess-Anderson said.

Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, in his remarks, emphasised the necessity of digitalisation.

“If we don’t digitalise, it is going to be a problem for us, and we recognise that. If everything remains paper-based, efficiency will always be limited,” the health minister stated, highlighting the significance of such a programme.

Dr Anthony said the health system in Guyana is undergoing a transformation, with impactful changes expected in the coming years.

The post New digital system to transform health sector appeared first on News Room Guyana.

General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo Thursday raised concerns about what he believes are disparaging remarks made about Guyanese who chose to leave the opposition People’s National Congress Reform.

Jagdeo, who is also Guyana’s Vice President, addressed recent statements made by Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton. Jagdeo told reporters at a press conference that Mr. Norton’s questionable statements include a fictitious claim that the PNC has about 10,000 new members and that the supporters and party members who left the party are people who were bribed by the PPP.

He also raised concerns about Mr. Norton’s continued claims about a bloated voters’ list ahead of the 2025 General and Regional Elections.

The PPP General Secretary scoffed at these statements, noting that Mr Norton seemed to be intent on practising “divisive politics.”

“This is something that is typical of the PNC,” Jagdeo lamented.

He then zeroed in on the claim that former PNC party members, particularly Afro-Guyanese, who now support the PPP have been bribed. The Vice President said this was “disparaging” and stressed that people have agency and the ability to make judgments of their own.

Jagdeo said the PNC believes it is entitled to the support of Afro-Guyanese even as the party continues to neglect citizens and remains “divorced from reality” because of its limited engagement with people and poor policy formulation.

The post ‘Typical of the PNC’ – Jagdeo flags ‘disparaging’ statements made by Norton appeared first on News Room Guyana.

US Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot on Thursday reaffirmed the US government’s strong support for Guyana following a recent Venezuelan naval incursion and Venezuela’s continued aggression towards Guyana’s Essequibo region.

“We support Guyana 100 per cent against this aggression; it is unacceptable and we won’t allow Venezuela to threaten Guyana’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and so we are standing with many other international partners,” Theriot stated.

Adding: “We will always stand shoulder to shoulder with Guyana in supporting you and defending you.”

The incursion on March 1, 2025, had drawn widespread condemnation from Guyana’s regional and international partners.

In response to escalating tensions, Guyana has filed a request for provisional measures at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) following Venezuela’s announcement to hold elections on May 25, just one day before Guyana’s 59th Independence celebrations.

The elections aim to appoint a governor and other officials for the Essequibo region, a move widely viewed as a direct challenge to Guyana’s territorial claims.

Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn on Wednesday said authorities are aware of Venezuelan ‘sleepers’ (or secret agents) in Guyana as he warned that there will be treason charges for any who support Venezuela’s election to appoint a governor and other officials for the Essequibo region.

The post Border controversy: US says will stand ‘shoulder to shoulder with Guyana’ appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Just over one week ago, skeletal remains suspected to be those of missing Venezuelan woman Miguelys Centeno were found in a clump of bushes along the Mabura Trail in Linden.

The discovery was made on March 4, 2025 at 9 Miles Mabura Trail, Linden.

The Police were summoned and a search of the area unearthed a personalized metal chain.

That necklace was similar to one worn by Centeno.

The News Room was told that investigators contacted Centeno’s mother, who positively identified the clothing and jewellery to be those of her daughter.

Brazilian national, Fernando Teles Pereira is wanted by the Police in relation to the murder of Centeno

As such, DNA samples were obtained and sent for testing at the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory.

On March 12, 2025, the News Room was informed that the DNA results confirmed that the remains are indeed those of Centeno.

Investigators are treating Centeno death as a murder case.

According to information gathered by the News Room, a post mortem examination revealed that she suffered blunt force trauma to the head.

As the Police continue to investigate, a wanted bulletin has been issued for Brazilian national, Fernando Teles Pereira.

Police said the crime was committed on February 20, 2025 at Diamond, East Bank Demerara.

Reports are that Centeno resided in the Diamond area and was reported missing by her relatives after she disappeared.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Pereira is asked to contact the nearest Police station.

The post DNA confirms skeletal remains found at Mabura Trial is missing Venezuelan woman appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Leader of the Alliance for Change Nigel Hughes, who is seeking to lead a Coalition in upcoming general elections, has met with the Mohameds family.

The News Room understands that Nazar “Shell” Mohamed and his son Azruddin Mohamed have met with Hughes.

Azruddin Mohamed has been holding meetings in various communities and his father has said he would support him if he wants to enter the political arena.

The Mohameds have been sanctioned by the United States government; anyone who does business with them risk facing consequences according to the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.

The meeting between Hughes and the Mohameds comes as efforts continue to form a Coalition against the ruling People’s Progressive Party.

The post Nigel Hughes, Mohameds meet appeared first on News Room Guyana.

The Ministry of Labour’s Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department has concluded the investigation into the fatal accident involving 19-year-old Heavy-Duty Equipment Operator, Ezekiel Benjamin that occurred on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at BOSAI Mineral Group (Guyana) Inc. East Montgomery mines, Region Ten.

It was reported that Benjamin, who was employed by Dindyal Sookram and Daughters General Contractor, was operating an XCMG excavator to construct a drainage system intended to channel water from the surrounding area to Kara Kara Creek, a release from the ministry stated.

During this operation, the excavator reportedly began sinking and soon became submerged in the swampy terrain, trapping Benjamin inside.  An alarm was raised by nearby operators of BOSAI Minerals Group and efforts were made to rescue Benjamin. He was retrieved and transported to the Mackenzie Hospital Complex, where he was pronounced dead.

Following this accident, a formal investigation was launched by the Labour Ministry led by Occupational Safety and Health Officer, Ray Hosannah per the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, Chapter 99:06 Laws of Guyana.

While the investigations revealed that there was non-compliance with certain sections of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, Cap 99:06. It should however be noted that the Act does not address the issue of compensation.

Some of the main findings were;

1. The accident was not reported to the Ministry of Labour and a register for the recording of workplace accidents was not kept.
2. There was no evidence that the company had an Occupational Safety and Health Policy and there was an absence of a programme for the implementation of the Safety and Health Policy.
3. No one was identified as a safety and health representative.
4. The deceased Mr. Ezekiel Benjamin operated an excavator in an unstable working environment that caused the excavator to topple and pin him in the swamp.
5. There was also a lack of adequate supervision since the accident was not detected immediately and the delay in responding could have contributed to the demise of the worker.
6. The Employer failed to provide and maintain a safe, sound, healthy and secure working environment for the deceased in keeping with the duties of an employer as required by Section 46 (2) O of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, Chapter 99:06, Laws of Guyana.

Several recommendations were made in keeping with the findings. The employer was duly informed and follow-up actions will be taken to ensure compliance with the recommendations which were made.

In addition, the Occupational Safety and Health Department is seeking legal advice from the Ministry’s Attorney -At -Law concerning this matter.

The Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton once more extends heartfelt sympathy to the grieving relatives, co-workers, and friends of the deceased.

He also takes this opportunity to remind employers and workers of the importance and need for good safety and health practices in the workplace so that similar incidents/accidents that can result in the loss of lives of loved ones can be avoided.

[Ministry of Labour Press Release]

The post Contractor’s safety breaches cited in death of teen at BOSAI mining operation appeared first on News Room Guyana.

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has deployed an advance contingent to St. Vincent and the Grenadines to support rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Berly, which caused significant damage to several communities on the island.

This deployment follows a commitment by His Excellency, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, to provide assistance to the Caribbean nation during this critical time.

Last week, a GDF delegation led by Colonel Administration and Quartering, Commander Roger Nurse, visited St. Vincent and the Grenadines Union Island to conduct a damage assessment and coordinate with local officials to plan the humanitarian operation.

Building on this groundwork, the advance contingent that departed Guyana today will continue the needs analysis and prepare for the arrival of the main contingent.

The GDF’s involvement underscores Guyana’s commitment to regional solidarity and its dedication to supporting CARICOM sister states in times of humanitarian crisis. The team will focus on identifying priority areas for assistance and ensuring that the full contingent is equipped to contribute effectively to the rebuilding efforts of St Vincent and the Grenadines Union Island.

This initiative highlights the importance of regional cooperation in disaster response and recovery, as CARICOM continues to work together to build resilience and support affected communities. (GDF press release)

The post GDF deploys team to assist St. Vincent & Grenadines in post-hurricane recovery appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Guyanese umpire Javed Persaud received a special 35^th birthday gift when he strolled out in the middle as a standing umpire for the first time in First-Class cricket during the fifth round clash of the West Indies Four-Day Championship between Guyana Harpy Eagles and the Windward Islands Volcanoes on Wednesday (March 12) at the National Stadium, Providence.

Persaud was officiating alongside Gregory Brathwaite of Barbados on a rain-affected opening day which saw Volcanoes closing on 77-2 off 27 overs.

Persaud, a staff at ENet, has dedicated the last 15 years of his life to elevating himself in the field of umpiring.

The Georgetown Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association (GCUSA) extended congratulations to Persaud on his elevation to First-Class cricket, after he officiated in the just concluded Women’s Super50 Cup.

“This achievement marks a significant milestone in his umpiring career and is a testament to his dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment to the sport.”

“Javed’s journey began in 2010 when he joined the GCUSA, embarking on a path that would lead him to the highest levels of regional cricket. After three years of diligent training and development, he became a fully qualified umpire in 2013, demonstrating his keen understanding of the laws and nuances of the game.”

The GCUSA said Persaud’s exceptional performance and dedication were recognised when he was promoted to the CWI Junior Panel of Umpires in 2016. Building on this success, he continued to excel, earning a well-deserved promotion to the CWI Emerging Panel of Umpires in 2025.

“Today, Javed steps onto the First-Class stage, joining esteemed GCUSA colleagues Nigel Duguid, Shannon Crawford and Ryan Banwarie, who are also officiating in this prestigious tournament.

Adding to the joy of this occasion, we are delighted to celebrate Javed’s birthday! His debut on this special day makes it an even more memorable event,” the GCUSA said.

“The GCUSA is immensely proud of Javed’s accomplishments and wishes him all the best in his First-Class career. We are confident that he will continue to uphold the highest standards of umpiring and serve as an inspiration to aspiring umpires across the region.

Congratulations, Javed! May your journey be filled with continued success and fulfillment.”

The post Guyanese umpire Javed Persaud makes First-Class debut on birthday appeared first on News Room Guyana.