GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) — Guyana has signed a multi-million dollar agreement with the United Kingdom-based RioMed Limited, to develop and implement the new Electronic Health Record System (EHR).

The International Development Bank (IDB) is providing US$3.3 million in funding for the implementation of the EHR system and the contract is for an 18-month period.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by the Managing Director of RioMed Limited, Mario Mohammed, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Malcolm Watkins.

A government statement said that this comprehensive new record system is being rolled out at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and is being adopted to phase out the existing paper system.

It said that when introduced, the system will help doctors and staff accurately track patients’ health records, leading to more effective management of the hospital’s overall operation.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony, who was present during the signing ceremony, said that the challenges of the paper filing system will soon become a thing of the past.

“Despite our best efforts in managing the records we still have to search and sometimes the papers are not all in one place, and the patient sometimes has to wait for hours,” he said.

Anthony said the system will be rolled out in phases and that in preparation for the project implementation, new data security legislation was passed in the National Assembly to protect patients whose personal information will now become available in a digital format.

“If there is a breach, we want to ensure that when they catch you there is a suitable punishment,” he said, adding that if an individual is caught breaching the system, the fine will begin at GUY $20 million (One Guyana dollar=US$0.008 cents). However, if a corporate entity breaches the system, the fine will start at GUY $100 million.

He said these robust measures are in place to ensure that people’s health information remains secure at all times and confidentiality is always paramount. Another feature that will be added in the future is the introduction of a unique identifier that will be issued to every citizen. The identifier will make it easier for patients to access healthcare services whenever they visit GPHC for a doctor’s appointment.

GPHC’s Chief Executive Officer, Robbie Rambarran, expressed satisfaction that this project is finally moving ahead.

“We are happy that we have leaders who recognise the importance of such an initiative,” he said.