The Honourable Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Health, today met with representatives from Brazil’s Ministry of Health and the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC) to advance collaboration under the Prospective Mission on Organ Donation and Transplantation, taking place from November 10–11, 2025, in Georgetown.
The visiting delegation, comprising highly skilled technical experts from Brazil’s National Transplant Programme, will conduct a rapid assessment of Guyana’s current transplant system. The evaluation aims to identify priority areas for collaboration, capacity building, and system enhancement to further strengthen Guyana’s national transplant programme.
During the meeting, Minister Anthony underscored the importance of accelerating the establishment and operationalisation of the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) Laboratory. He highlighted the need for comprehensive training of laboratory personnel, the implementation of quality assurance protocols for HLA testing, and the strengthening of the entire transplant continuum, from organ retrieval and surgical transplantation techniques to system-wide readiness.
As part of their mission, the Brazilian team will visit key health facilities, including the Nephrology and Transplantation Departments and the Central Medical Laboratory at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). They will also hold technical discussions with local clinicians to define critical areas for joint action and support.
Following the assessment, the delegation will develop a detailed Action Plan outlining specific activities and timelines to address identified gaps. Implementation of the plan is expected to commence immediately following the mission.
Among those present at today’s meeting were Her Excellency Maria Cristina de Castro Martins, Ambassador of Brazil to Guyana; Dr. Shanti Singh-Anthony, Chairperson of the Human Organ and Tissue Transplant Agency (HOATTA); and Dr. Sondia Gordon, Chief Executive Officer of the HOATTA Secretariat.
