Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony announced during the Ministry of Health’s year-end press conference that Guyana would access $22 million from the World Bank-coordinated Pandemic Fund starting March 2025. This includes a $15 million grant facilitated by the World Bank and the World Health Organization (WHO), alongside $7 million in co-funding from the World Bank.
The program will focus on disease surveillance in human and animal populations, enhancing the country’s capacity to detect and manage health threats. A key element of the initiative is a $2 million upgrade to the National Public Health Reference Laboratory, transforming it into a level three facility capable of handling complex virus tracking, including influenza monitoring.
The Pandemic Fund is a multilateral financing mechanism designed to bolster pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response in low- and middle-income countries through targeted investments and technical support. This funding is expected to significantly enhance Guyana’s ability to address current and future health challenges. Tiana Cole has more on this significant funding initiative.
