Press Releases

The 18th Annual Guyana Medical Research Conference, hosted by the Institute of Health Science Education (IHSE) of Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), was successfully held on Saturday, November 1, at the Atlantic Conference Room of the Pegasus Suites.

Held under the theme “From Evidence to Impact: Advancing Care Through Research,” the conference brought together healthcare professionals, researchers, educators, and policymakers from across Guyana for a dynamic day of presentations, innovation, and forward-looking announcements.

Distinguished Attendees

Among those in attendance were:

• The Hon. Frank Anthony, Minister of Health
• Ravindranath Rambaran, Director of Medical and Professional Services
• Kester Need, Neuroscientist and CEO of JIPA Network LLC (Keynote Speaker)
• Hospital administrators, sponsors, researchers, and invited guests

Advancing Healthcare Through Research

In his opening address, Minister Anthony highlighted Guyana’s significant progress in healthcare infrastructure and service delivery over the past five years, not only along the coast but across all administrative regions.

He emphasized that the country’s next phase of development must prioritize:

• Strengthening allied health agencies
• Building a robust national research ecosystem
• Expanding scientific innovation to propel healthcare into a new era

Major Announcement: Guyana’s First Life Science Park

A key highlight of the conference was the announcement of plans to establish Guyana’s first Life Science Park, in collaboration with the European Union. This transformative project, expected to commence next year, will be modelled after a successful bio-park in southern Belgium. The EU will provide both funding and technical support. Additionally, the Government of Guyana is working to strengthen academic partnerships between local universities and European institutions, creating expanded research opportunities and international exposure for Guyanese professionals. These collaborations aim to build long-term research capacity and innovation within the country.

Conference Highlights

The conference featured 36 presentations across seven engaging categories, including:

• Advancing Care in Our Children
• Advancing Care in Infectious Diseases
• Advancing Care Through Quality Improvement
• Advancing Care in Women’s Health
• Potpourri of Advancement (Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Psychiatry, and Neonatology)
• Poster Presentations
• Symposium: Evidence-Based Practice and Recent Developments in Healthcare

From paediatric innovations to infectious disease management, each session demonstrated the dedication of Guyanese researchers to improving patient outcomes through evidence-based practice.

Research Excellence Awards

The conference concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding research contributions:

• Best Poster Presentation:
  Dr. Luke Pearson, General Medical Officer, GPHC
  Management of Pregnancy-Related Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Case Report
• Best Podium Presentation:
  Ms. Ede Tyrell, Lecturer, University of Guyana
  Automated Teller Machines: Sources of Bacterial Contamination and Antimicrobial Resistance in Georgetown
• Best Manuscript Submission:
  Dr. Owen Ogbeiwi, Graduating Obstetrician & GMO, GPHC
  A Randomized Control Trial on the Management of Third Trimester Intrauterine Fetal Demise at GPHC
• Best Poster Submission:
  Dr. Luke Pearson, General Medical Officer
  Management of Pregnancy-Related Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Case Report

GPHC extends heartfelt gratitude to the IHSE department for their exceptional organization and execution of this year’s conference, as well as to valued sponsors including:

• JIPA Network LLC
• Clinitech
• Global Healthcare Supplies
• KD Enterprise
• Caribbean Medical Supplies

The 18th Guyana Medical Research Conference once again reaffirmed GPHC’s commitment to advancing healthcare through research, collaboration, and innovation.