In response to growing demand for medical education and limited capacity at its main campus, the University of Guyana (UG) is taking steps to expand and decentralise its medical programme. On Thursday, Minister of Education Sonia Parag led a visit to several sites in Region Six, evaluating locations that could serve as additional classroom spaces for medical students.
The visit, which included UG’s Tain Campus in Berbice, was part of a broader push to accommodate students who qualify for UG’s medical school but are unable to secure a place at the overcrowded Turkeyen Campus. Minister Parag was joined by Dr. Kofi Dalrymple, Advisor on Education Reform, and Regional Executive Officer Narindra Persaud. The team expressed optimism about the Tain campus, citing its readiness in terms of infrastructure and academic support.
This site visit follows a high-level meeting in September, where Minister Parag and Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony met with UG Vice Chancellor Dr. Paloma Mohamed and other university officials to chart a course for the medical school’s expansion. The initiative aligns with President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s commitment to making medical education more accessible and addressing the surge in applicants—particularly since the removal of tuition fees at UG.
The expansion is being rolled out in phases, with Regions Two, Three, and Six identified as priority areas. The effort is also tied to the government’s broader healthcare goals, including staffing a growing number of new hospitals and upcoming specialist facilities across the country.
This initiative not only opens more doors for aspiring medical professionals but also aims to strengthen Guyana’s healthcare workforce in response to rising national needs.
