Guyana aims to become leading provider of specialised healthcare services in C’bean – Dr Anthony

Guyana has officially opened the Bethune Round Table 2026, bringing together healthcare professionals, researchers and policymakers from 17 countries to explore ways to strengthen surgical care and improve health outcomes.

Held under the theme,“𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬,” the conference opened on October 14 at the Atlantic Conference Centre, marking the first time Guyana has hosted the international event since its establishment in 2001.

Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony, in his feature address, highlighted Guyana’s ambition to become a leading provider of specialised healthcare services in the Caribbean, emphasising the importance of research, innovation and building local capacity.

Chief Executive Officer of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Robbie Rambarran, reflected on the transformation of the institution over the past five years, noting that progress requires more than new buildings and equipment. Sustainable improvements depend on integrating technology, infrastructure, education, research and clinical excellence to achieve better patient outcomes.

A key highlight of the opening ceremony was the keynote presentation by Professor Daniel Dawes, Senior Vice President and Founding Dean of the Meharry Medical College School of Global Health. Speaking on The Political Determinants of Health, Dawes challenged delegates to look beyond hospitals and clinical services to examine how public policies, resource allocation and living conditions shape health outcomes.

He highlighted Guyana’s constitutional commitments to health and environmental wellbeing, while emphasising the need to translate these commitments into funded programmes, measurable targets and equitable access to healthcare. He also challenged the Caribbean to explore the possibility of establishing the region’s first Blue Zone: a community recognised for exceptional longevity and healthy ageing, through deliberate policies that promote healthier lives.

The conference proceedings are continuing at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, featuring discussions on surgical research, reproductive health equity, digital innovation, patient safety, trauma systems and improving access to quality healthcare.

For Guyana, hosting the Bethune Round Table represents an opportunity to strengthen international partnerships, showcase local healthcare ambitions and exchange knowledge that can be adapted to regional needs.

Ultimately, the goal extends beyond training and discussion: 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐮𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐧.