In a landmark advancement for Caribbean public health infrastructure, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has formally transferred a cutting-edge portable PCR diagnostic system to Guyana’s National Public Health Reference Laboratory (NPHRL). The ceremonial handover, conducted on November 30, 2025, saw CARPHA Executive Director Dr. Lisa Indar present the sophisticated equipment to Guyana’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Narine Singh.
Valued at approximately US$300,000, this revolutionary mobile laboratory technology represents a transformative investment in Guyana’s disease surveillance capabilities. The compact PCR platform delivers comprehensive diagnostic results within a remarkable two-hour window, dramatically accelerating the identification of priority pathogens including dengue, foodborne illnesses, norovirus, and leptospirosis.
Designed for exceptional operational flexibility, the portable system can be rapidly deployed across diverse geographical regions, including remote and hinterland communities that traditionally faced challenges in accessing timely medical testing. This strategic mobility ensures equitable healthcare delivery while strengthening national resilience against both endemic diseases and emerging public health threats.
Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony emphasized the critical importance of this technological enhancement, noting that ‘this advanced instrumentation will prove invaluable in generating timely results, substantially improving both the velocity and precision of our disease diagnostic processes.’
The donation forms part of CARPHA’s broader regional initiative to modernize laboratory systems throughout the Caribbean. Dr. Indar highlighted the strategic significance of the equipment, stating that its rapid processing capabilities and portability will fundamentally improve outbreak response mechanisms, community protection measures, and ongoing epidemiological surveillance efforts.
The Guyanese Health Ministry expressed profound appreciation for CARPHA’s continued partnership, acknowledging that this collaboration substantially bolsters national and regional health security frameworks. This technological advancement positions Guyana more effectively to safeguard population health, accelerate clinical decision-making, and reinforce integrated disease monitoring systems across the Caribbean region.