Georgetown, August 5, 2026.- The Ministry of Health of Guyana, in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), completed a 2-day stakeholder consultation on the system-level capacity to provide assistive technology, the assistive technology action plan, and the National Priority Assistive Products List.
This effort aims at improving access to essential assistive products and related services that enhance the function and independence of persons with disabilities, non-communicable diseases, older persons, and others, and improve their participation in education, employment and community life.
The stakeholder consultation brought together representatives from government agencies, the Guyana Council of Organizations for Persons with Disabilities, the National Commission on Disability, healthcare institutions, and rehabilitation service providers to identify the country’s most pressing assistive technology needs and lay the foundation for a comprehensive national policy. It forms part of a wider effort of PAHO and WHO's Global Cooperation on Assistive Technology (GATE) to accelerate access to assistive technology supported by the Government of Ireland.
The consultation focused on validating findings of the assessment of the country’s capacity to regulate, finance, procure, and provide assistive technology; identifying priority objectives and strategic activities to address system barriers to assistive technology access; and identifying and prioritizing the assistive products most needed across Guyana to better support persons with disabilities and other individuals requiring assistive technology.
Among those attending were Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony; Minister of Labour and Manpower, Keoma Griffith; PAHO/WHO Representative to Guyana, Dr Kim Dickson; Director of Disability and Rehabilitation, Dr Ariane Mangar; and PAHO/WHO International Consultant for Assistive Technology, Yasmin Garcia, who led the discussions.
Stakeholders reviewed challenges affecting access to quality, effective and affordable assistive technology, including the national legislative and policy framework, financing mechanisms and health information systems; service delivery; availability, training and regulation of professionals; and product availability and regulation.
The meeting provided a platform for technical experts and partner organizations to offer recommendations to improve access to these health technologies and ensure that the National Priority Assistive Technology List accurately reflects the country’s needs and available resources, including products that improve mobility, vision, hearing, communication, cognition and the ability to carry out activities of daily living. The list will become a central component of Guyana’s national assistive technology policy and is expected to guide future procurement, improve service planning and strengthen coordination among agencies involved in disability services.
