What is healthcare in Guyana like?

Facilities and Health Information

Medical care in Guyana does not meet U.S. standards. Care is available for minor medical conditions, although quality is very inconsistent. Emergency care and hospitalization for major medical illnesses or surgery are very limited, due to a lack of appropriately trained specialists, below standard in-hospital care, and poor sanitation. There are very few ambulances in Guyana. Ambulance service is limited to transportation without any medical care and is frequently not available for emergencies. An MRI (linked to the United States for interpretation) has been installed and is operational, but results may take up to 4 days. It is located on the compound of St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, immediately behind the Embassy on Parade Street.

In the event of an emergency, the number for an ambulance is 913, but this number is not always operational and an ambulance may not be available. You are advised to bring prescription medicine sufficient for your length of stay and should be aware that Guyana's humid climate may affect some medicines. Some prescription medicines (mainly generic rather than name-brand) are available.

Special attention should be paid to HIV/AIDS in Guyana. In addition to elevated infection rates among high-risk populations, such as commercial sex workers, and mobile populations such as miners or loggers, data from the World Health Organization estimate that Guyana has among the highest prevalence rates in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Insect borne illnesses are common and include malaria, dengue, Leishmaniasis, and Chagas disease.

Drinking Water Source - % of rural population improved

97.9%

Drinking Water Source - % of total population unimproved

2.4%

Drinking Water Source - % of urban population improved

96.6%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1.2%

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

People Living with HIV/AIDS

5,900

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

.21

Sanitation Facility Access - % of total population unimproved

16.4%

Sanitation Facility Access - % of urban population improved

87.9%

Sanitation Facility Access - % of rural population improved

82%

Infectious Diseases - degree of risk

very high

Food or Waterborne Disease (s)

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

Vectorborne Disease (s)

dengue fever and malaria

Disability Access In Guyana

Accessibility

While in Guyana, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what you find in the United States. The constitution mandates the state to take measures to protect persons with disabilities but there is no law that mandates provision of access for such persons. There is also a lack of appropriate infrastructure that provides access to both public and private facilities.

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