Delays at Paediatric and Maternal Hospital linked to contractor ownership changes – Anthony

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony has attributed delays in the construction of the Paediatric and Maternal Hospital on the East coast of Demerara to ownership changes involving the project’s contractor, VAMED Engineering, telling the National Assembly that the government is now negotiating with new management to ensure completion within a realistic timeframe.

Speaking yesterday during the Com-mittee of Supply’s consideration of the 2026 budget estimates, Anthony responded to questions from APNU Member of Parliament Terrence Campbell regarding the status of the delayed project. He explained that the initiative originated from a 2018 government-to-government agreement between Guyana and Austria, under which the Austrian government was responsible for identifying a company to execute the construction works.

According to Anthony, VAMED Engineering was selected under that arrangement and initially operated with majority ownership by the Austrian government. However, he said the company later underwent significant ownership transitions that contributed to delays.