Gov’t exploring implementing telemedicine here- trial to start in Region 9

Delivering remarks at the opening of the conference on Wednesday, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, announced the government’s intent to explore the possibility of implementing remote diagnosis and treatment of patients by means of telecommunications technology (i.e., telemedicine).

Telemedicine allows a patient and practitioner to access electronic information and services without the patient/person having to leave their home and be physically in the practitioner’s office. The service is however reliant not only on internet technologies but also on fast and reliable internet. Guyana is not only deficient in such service but also electricity which is needed to propel the internet.

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen widespread reliance on telehealth (telemedicine). In countries such as the United States the federal government has implemented policies to make the service more accessible by investing in broadband connection to rural areas and making cost more affordable for the poor and vulnerable.

Guyana is amongst the world’s fastest growing economies with a projected Gross Domestic Product (GDP)  from oil revenue this year to be approximately 49.6 per cent according to the Bank of Guyana, though some economists projected it could reach as high as 60 per cent. Oil revenue this year is expected to be approximately US$1 Billion (US$957.6 Million)

According to the minister, the Ministry of Health will commence the trial phase of the new mechanism in the next two months, beginning with four remote communities in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

“We will train the community health workers that are there so that they can deliver the first line of care, and if they need assistance, they can dial up to be in contact with a doctor in Georgetown, so that that doctor could help them to go through the paces of making adequate diagnosis.”

The Minister went further in advising that in areas where there might be little to no internet connection to facilitate the telemedicine process, the project will be run on satellite connection.

The device or computer which is assigned to the medical outposts in those communities will also have the appropriate built-in software that will allow for good connectivity, he said, as he sought to lend assurance “the doctor in Georgetown could hear breath sounds or heart sounds [and] We will be able to use the probes to do ultrasounds and so forth.