Guyana’s electronic health records system goes live

Last Updated on Sunday, 18 January 2026, 16:14 by Writer

Guyana’s public health care sector on Saturday launched its electronic health records system (EHRS), with officials saying that the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has been earmarked to be the next institution to come online.

GPHC Chief Executive Officer, Robbie Rambarran said by April several aspects of GPHC’s services would be going “paperless”.

He said staff from other polyclinics that are under construction would be trained at the Festival City Polyclinic, South Ruimveldt so that they would be able to use the EHRS at the new facilities.

Mr Rambarran said that by year end patients’ records at public health care facilities would be integrated into the new system.

Ministry of Health officials say plans are also in train to launch a mobile phone application (app) to allow patients to book appointments online rather than arriving hours before to see a doctor.

Officials say the EHRS would ensure “stronger accountability” and better care for the sick and injured.

Though the long-term plan is also to integrate health records from the private sector, authorities said patients would be able to access their records on their phones and show a private doctor.

In order to avoid adverse effects of different medicines, duplication of treatment or diagnostics such as imaging and blood tests, the EHRS would afford different doctors an opportunity to see what has been done already. “As a polyclinic, our work sits at the intersection of care delivery, compliance, quality, and public trust. Hence, this clinic was our first choice to roll out this system,” Mr Rambarran added.

Health minister Dr Frank Anthony sought to assure patients, who were present at the Festival City Polyclinic and the wider public that individuals and health care facilities that breach patient confidentiality could be fined GY$20 million to GY$100 million under the 2023 Data Protection Act.

“So, we’re not making, this thing is not a joke. People’s information must be kept confidentially and that is why the penalties for breaching that confidence is going to be very, very high,” he said.

That law is yet to be operationalised and so is not yet in force.

Dr Anthony said Guyana’s ambition to have an EHRS dates back to the 2000s.

He said the United Kingdom-headquartered RioMed’s electronic health records platform was modified to fit local conditions.

He said the EHRS would save time and ensure greater efficiency ranging from the booking, taking tests and imaging to prescription and uplifting of medicines.

The health minister appealed to Guyanese to cooperate with the health facilities in implementing the EHRS as smoothly as possible and to iron out any problems. “We are going to try to facilitate as much as we can to smooth out any problems that you might have. But we want you to have the patience to keep trying and making sure that you adapt to the technology because if you don’t adapt to the technology, if you don’t use it, then we are defeating all of what we have been trying to do,” he said.