Guyanese healthcare

The HEALTHCARE system

Like the education system, Guyana operates a universal healthcare system with 2 tiers - public and private facilities. Every citizen and resident has access to public health facilities free of charge. However, the system is not not as fully developed as developed Western countries and high quality care is sparse. Public medical clinics may lack basic resources and supplies. Emergency care and hospitalization for major medical illnesses or surgery may be limited due to a lack of trained specialists. '

The most well resourced facilities are located in the capital city of Georgetown. Outside of the capital city, regional hospitals and local health centers provide care. People traveling to more remote regions may experience limited access to doctors and specialized hospital treatment. The health posts and health centers in these areas tend to be managed by nurses or community health workers.

Before you go

Before you move to Guyana, check to make sure that you have the right prescriptions for medications that you take regularly. Proof of yellow fever vaccination maybe required. Also check with your travel clinic to determine if you need additional vaccinations. Contracting mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and malaria is possible. Find out more about pharmacies and medicine in Guyana.

How do expats manage healthcare?

Private healthcare is available to anyone who can afford it. Expats and affluent locals prefer to seek treatment at private hospitals and medical centers for a higher level of care and access to better facilities. Most private hospitals are located in Georgetown. For more serious conditions, expats seek treatment in other countries. 

Health insurance in Guyana

Insurance is not mandatory. Supplementary care may be covered under private health insurance, depending on selected coverage. Private local health insurance that is expanding in use. Even with international health insurance, expect to pay for some portion of your care out of pocket to be reimbursed by your insurance provider later. Consider getting a health insurance plan that provides adequate coverage for routine care and medical evacuations. 

How do expats pay for healthcare?

Private hospitals usually require advance payment or a deposit before admitting a patient. Credit card facilities and insurance plans are accepted and honoured (once approved) at only a handful of private hospitals - check with your insurance provider in advance.  If you haven’t set up a local bank account, here is what you need to know about money transfers.

Doctors & GPs

Doctors & General practitioners (GPs) are your first point of contact for healthcare in Guyana, as they provide referrals to specialists and, if necessary, to a hospital. Hospitals in Guyana are either private or public.

Medicine & Pharmacies

Prescription medicines are only available from a pharmacy. Learn more about how pharmacies and medicine in Guyana.

Dentists in Guyana

Private dentists usually work in their own single-dentist practice and at present most of them still do so, although the trend is that practices are becoming larger with more than one dentist per practice. Read more about dentists in Guyana.

Now that you have an idea of how healthcare works in Guyana, have you found the right house and schools?