The Greater Guyana Initiative (GGI) that will see US$100 million being invested by ExxonMobil, Hess, and CNOOC for capacity building recently collaborated with the ICAHN School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the Ministry of Heath for a major programme. Together, they launched the National Health Information Systems and Technology (HIST) Workforce Development Programme.
The HIST Programme will pave the way for the training of 250+ HIST Professionals and the establishment of a Guyana Digital Health Training Institute, which will play a crucial role in enhancing Guyana’s health technology workforce, supporting the implementation of the National Electronic Health Record (EHR) Technology. By providing essential resources and capacity-building opportunities, this initiative will enhance the ability of the public health clinical staff to deliver more efficient and sustainable healthcare services.
Dr. Rachael Vreeman, Executive Director at Mount Sinai, emphasized that the programme is designed to equip participants with the necessary skills to contribute effectively to the evolving digital health system. She indicated that prior experience in information technology is not a prerequisite for admission into the programme. She noted, “With the Government of Guyana’s robust vision for a digital health system, GGI’s commitment to this initiative is both timely and critical. We need a workforce for tomorrow, so we are honored to be part of this effort,” Dr. Vreeman shared. She further stated, “The Digital Health Training Institute is going to lay the foundation for one of the most advanced digital systems, not only in the region but truly in the world.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Health, highlighted Guyana’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. He underscored the importance of the HIST programme in positioning Guyana as a model for the Caribbean in digital healthcare transformation. “Ultimately, we envision every citizen having a Unique Identifier, which will have their entire medical history,” he shared. He added that for this vision to be realized, a workforce must be proficient in operating and managing this system – this is where the HIST Workforce Development Program plays a crucial role. Even with the most advanced electronic health record system, success depends on the people trained to use it, he explained.
In her remarks, Mrs. Alicia Bess-Anderson, GGI Lead, emphasized GGI’s commitment to capacity development across Guyana. “The National HIST Programme is in keeping with GGI’s mandate of building local workforce capacity and strengthening human resources, through targeted projects across Guyana, and, is directly aligned with Guyana’s National Health Information System Initiative (NHIS), to modernize the health sector by leveraging digital information systems to support better patient care and enhance health operation efficiency,” she stated. “By playing our part, GGI is contributing to a sustainably enhanced healthcare system that provides exemplary services to the citizenry,” she added.
The National HIST Workforce Development Program will train over 250 health information systems and technology professionals who will be instrumental in implementing and maintaining the National Electronic Health Record System, thereby ensuring improved efficiency and sustainability in healthcare delivery across Guyana.
Established as a US$100 million investment by the Stabroek Block co-venturers—ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Hess Guyana Exploration Limited, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited—GGI remains committed to Guyana’s Development beyond its investment in the Oil and Gas Sector.
