Last Updated on Friday, 17 April 2026, 21:08 by Denis Chabrol
Guyana has introduced an Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool that analyses X-rays, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) scans in one minute, President Irfaan Ali said Friday.
“We have now signed on to a program that will allow us to read x-rays, CT scans, and MRI in seconds- one minute-and that is reading and having an analysis of those scans,” he said.
The President made the announcement at the official opening of the Optique Eye Hospital, the first such privately-owned facility in Guyana which offers complex surgeries for patients here and overseas.
“Before you would be waiting for hours for those scans to be read. We have now invested in an infrastructure that will allow us to do it in a minute. That allows better outcome, faster response, and greater results,” he added.
Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony told Demerara Waves Online News the AI medical imaging analysis system has already been rolled out at the Enmore Hospital, East Coast Demerara and De Kinderen Hospital, West Coast Demerara, with plans being made to introduce it to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and all other publicly-owned hospitals on the coastland. “The system will be deployed to all facilities with X-rays and CT Scans and when we introduce MRI in the public sector we will be able to do interpretations for that as well,” he added.
Chief Executive Officer of Optique, Dhani A. Narine said the state-of-the art first eye hospital on New Market Street, Georgetown cost GY$1 billion but could have been much higher if his company did not receive incentives through the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest). “Through our collaboration with the government of Guyana, we were able to align the goals of this project by accessing incentives provided through the office for investment which significantly reduced our capital expenditure for a venture like this,” he told the official opening ceremony. He also recognised Republic Bank’s role in realising the project.
Strategically positioned, Optique Eye Hospital says it also aims to strengthen partnerships within the Caribbean and the wider diaspora through a comprehensive referral programme targeting both regional and international patients. In dedicating the facility to what Optique described as the outstanding work and lifelong commitment of one of Guyana’s leading ophthalmologists, Dr. Shailendra Sugrim, whose contributions have played a pivotal role in advancing eye care in the country, the company said its vision was not only to deliver eye care, but to elevate the standard of what is possible within Guyana and the Caribbean.
President Irfaan Ali hoped that private healthcare investment could lay the foundation medical tourism. He said
Guyana must not only be known for its natural beauty, energy potential, and economic growth, but also for excellence in healthcare services. “Guyana wants to become a prime destination for medical tourism. We want people from across the Caribbean, from the diaspora, from North America and beyond, to look to Guyana as a place where they can receive high quality, affordable, efficient, modern medical care,” he said.
Optique Eye Hospital said its establishment represents a major step toward increasing equitable access to high-quality ophthalmic surgical services nationwide. The company says it facility is designed to enhance the quality of life for patients experiencing a wide range of eye conditions by delivering advanced, patient-centered care in a modern, fully equipped environment.
The hospital promised to deliver exceptional patient care and outstanding service through the use of state-of-the-art equipment and advanced operating theatres, with a continuous commitment to upgrading medical technologies and procedures; ongoing in-house and external training and development programmes to ensure staff remain highly skilled and equipped to provide quality care; implementation of robust monitoring and evaluation systems to maintain and enhance service standards, and continuous execution of vision health education initiatives, including community outreach programmes and eye screening campaigns, to promote awareness and early detection of eye diseases
The hospital offers a comprehensive range of specialized ophthalmic surgical services, including cataract surgery
glaucoma surgery, orbit and oculoplastic surgery, corneal and pterygium surgery, and vitreoretinal surgery
“This project demonstrates that with the right partnerships, a supportive investment climate fostered by the Government of Guyana, and unwavering commitment, highly complex subspecialty procedures can be performed locally at an international standard. We remain committed to investing in advanced ophthalmic services so that no child or adult has to leave the country for sight-saving care when it can be delivered safely and effectively at home,” Mr Narine was quoted as saying in a statement.
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