Construction of modern US$4M lab on schedule

Source: Guyana Chronicle, 6th March 2008

CONSTRUCTION of the modern US$4M laboratory in Guyana is on schedule with completion slated for June 2008.

Briefing the media following a tour yesterday by Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy and Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States Embassy in Guyana, Ms. Karen Williams, Chief of Party of the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Guyana, Dr. La Mar Hasbrouck said at the end of the project the three-story building will house the laboratory, as well as the Genito Urinary Medicine (GUM) Clinic and hopefully serve as a hub for the Caribbean.

“Our role really is to help construct the facility and help the Ministry in identifying staffing and training needs and then to back off and hand this over to the people of Guyana and then support it from a technical level…this will not only be a centre of excellence for Guyana, but the Caribbean Region as well,” he said.

The National Reference Laboratory is being constructed with funding from the United States Government under President Bush’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief at Thomas and New Market streets (GPHC Compound).

The 1500 square metred structure is expected to be handed over to Guyana on July 4, 2008.

Minister Ramsammy acknowledged that the laboratory will not have the capacity to conduct every test necessary, particularly those that are not cost effective and for these Guyana would continue to rely on the CDC.

However, he noted that it will certainly improve the array of services being offered at present by the Georgetown Public Hospital laboratory.

Among these improved capacities would be the ability to determine the common types of poisons used in murder cases.

“That’s the function of a public health lab as opposed to say GPHC lab, which is exclusively a clinical lab. The National Reference Lab is for high end type of services. We will determine all the different laboratory functions we need in our country,” Minister Ramsammy said.

He further explained that the National Reference Laboratory will be a lead lab for the network of labs including the Food and Drug laboratory at the Ministry of Health.

Commenting on the staffing needs, Minister Ramsammy said the actual laboratory work requires about 30-40 persons to work under a management team of skilled persons.

“We recognised that a laboratory at the level we are talking about we don’t have persons in country with the experience and so whilst the construction is being competed, we will provide training and exposure to these individuals, he said.

The CDC will provide support to mentor the person to be in charge of the lab when it is completed.

He also disclosed that graduates from the University of Guyana would be included in the staffing.