Press Releases

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has officially received an international grant from one of its existing partners, the University of Calgary, Canada, under the International Society of Nephrology (ISN), to enhance paediatric nephrology services in Guyana.

This grant was awarded through a competitive application submitted by Consultant Paediatric Nephrologist Dr Areefa Alladin at GPHC. The grant was awarded in February 2026 and is valued at approximately USD $6,000 under the ISN Sister Renal Centres Programme, beginning at level C for the period 2026-2027.

The programme will support the development of specialised kidney care services for paediatric patients at GPHC, thereby establishing an official link between our institutions and enabling collaboration through training, mentorship, and capacity building over an initial two-year period, with the potential for the collaboration to continue for up to six years.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Areefa Alladin clarified that the initiative represents a significant move towards establishing a comprehensive paediatric kidney care system in Guyana.

“Today, we are announcing the launch of the International Society of Nephrology – University of Calgary – Georgetown Public Hospital collaboration to build paediatric nephrology services in Guyana. Our goal is to develop a multidisciplinary paediatric kidney care team that includes physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, social workers and psychologists to ensure children with kidney disease receive comprehensive care.”

Dr Alladin noted that the programme will focus on enhancing diagnostic capacity, increasing access to specialised medications, and developing both peritoneal dialysis and haemodialysis services specifically tailored for children.

“At the end of this programme, we aim to establish a national registry of children diagnosed with kidney disease, enhance diagnostic capabilities, and implement measures to slow or prevent the progression of kidney disease where possible,” she added.

To support the programme’s implementation, a mentor team from the University of Calgary is currently visiting Guyana to conduct a needs assessment and to commence collaborative planning with local healthcare professionals.

Paediatric nephrologist Dr Julian Midgley from the University of Calgary stated that the institution is pleased to support the development of paediatric nephrology services at GPHC.

“Caring for children with kidney disease is incredibly important for families whose children are born with or develop kidney conditions. Through this partnership, we hope to share our experience and support the development of these services for the children of Guyana.”

Also, part of the visiting delegation is Jenny Wichart, a clinical pharmacist specialising in nephrology, dialysis, and transplant medicine, who emphasised the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to treating children with kidney disease.

“Children with kidney disease often face complex medical challenges, which require the support of an entire healthcare team. Pharmacists, nurses, dietitians, psychologists and social workers all play an important role in ensuring the best possible outcomes for patients and their families. This partnership will help strengthen those collaborative efforts.”

Chief Executive Officer of GPHC, Mr Robbie Rambarran, commended the initiative and expressed his appreciation to the international partners supporting the hospital’s efforts to expand specialised healthcare services.

“We are very grateful to Dr Alladin for her dedication in securing this grant and to our partners from the University of Calgary for supporting us in this endeavour. Our partners are leaving the comfort of their homes and families to help us build capacity and improve healthcare here, and we must never take that lightly.”

The CEO noted that although adult kidney disease is often associated with lifestyle factors, children more commonly develop the condition due to congenital issues or infections, emphasising the importance of specialised paediatric care.

There are over one hundred paediatric patients in Guyana currently registered with kidney disease. Strengthening paediatric nephrology services will allow us to detect and manage these conditions earlier, slow disease progression, and, in many cases, prevent the need for dialysis or transplantation.

This grant is part of GPHC’s ongoing efforts to continue meaningful partnerships, broaden specialised healthcare services and enhance patient outcomes. Over time, the programme aims to position Guyana as a regional leader in paediatric nephrology, capable of supporting other Caribbean nations in developing similar services.