GUYANA EXPANDS FREE DIALYSIS SERVICES TO REGIONAL HOSPITALS, EASING BURDEN ON KIDNEY PATIENTS

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA | OCTOBER 14, 2026 — Patients living with kidney disease in Guyana now have greater access to free dialysis treatment as the Ministry of Health expands services to six regional hospitals, reducing the need for patients to travel long distances to receive essential medical care.

According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), the hospitals offering dialysis services include Diamond Regional Hospital, Lima Regional Hospital, Bath Regional Hospital, Number 75 Village Regional Hospital and De Kinderen Regional Hospital. Although six facilities were reported, the ministry’s published update identified only five by name.

At Diamond Regional Hospital, more than 50 patients have already received dialysis treatment, according to Dr. Keisha Defreitas, Head of the Internal Medicine Department.

Dr. Defreitas explained that the hospital is working closely with the nephrology department at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to identify patients most in need of treatment.

“With assistance from the nephrology department at GPHC, we are able to identify patients who really need support for the dialysis sessions, and we prioritise them,” she said.

The Diamond facility operates seven days a week and has the capacity to treat six patients simultaneously, including individuals admitted to the hospital and those receiving outpatient care.

However, staffing limitations currently require medical personnel to work 12-hour shifts, generally from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with some sessions extending beyond those hours.

Meanwhile, Bath Regional Hospital has provided dialysis treatment to approximately 16 patients since introducing the service on September 22.

Medical Superintendent Dr. Daniel Robertson confirmed that two dialysis machines are currently operational at the facility, with additional patients expected to benefit as the service expands.

In Region Six, Regional Health Officer Dr. Vinashri Khirodhar disclosed that Number 75 Village Regional Hospital also has two dialysis machines in operation.

The expansion is expected to provide relief to patients and their families who previously faced transportation costs, lengthy journeys and other challenges associated with accessing dialysis treatment outside their communities.

Dialysis is a critical medical procedure that removes waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys can no longer perform those functions adequately. Patients with advanced kidney failure may require treatment several times per week.

The Ministry of Health is encouraging individuals requiring dialysis to contact participating hospitals to arrange treatment sessions.

The initiative forms part of the government’s wider effort to decentralize specialized healthcare services and improve access to treatment across Guyana.