The Country
Guyana is a country in South America characterized by lush nature and rich biodiversity. Most of its territory is covered by rainforests, which represent one of the largest reserves of biodiversity in the world. This nation, unique in South America for its official language English, inherits a British colonial past. Its territory is mostly flat, with the exception of the highlands of the southwest.
As of 2023, Guyana’s population was approximately 826,353. Population growth is significant, with a population growth rate of 0.57%. The population distribution is predominantly rural, with 60% of the population living in rural areas. Life expectancy at birth is approximately 63 years for men and 69 years for women.
Socioeconomically, Guyana is a developing country. Its economy is heavily dependent on mining, particularly gold and bauxite. Agriculture, while important, is limited by climate and soil. Social inequalities are significant, with wealth concentrated in the hands of a minority. Despite the growth of the service sector, dependence on natural resources exposes the economy to price fluctuations in international markets.
Politically, Guyana has a complex history, marked by regime changes and ethnic tensions. In recent years, the country has experienced a period of relative political stability, but challenges remain numerous. Fighting corruption, strengthening democratic institutions, and promoting sustainable development are among the country’s priorities.
Guyana faces significant challenges in the health sector. Infectious diseases such as malaria, dengue, and chikungunya are endemic, especially in the interior regions and in indigenous communities. Access to basic health services is limited, with shortages of qualified medical personnel and adequate infrastructure, especially in rural areas. Infant and maternal mortality remain high due to complications during childbirth, malnutrition, and preventable diseases.
In 2022, the mortality rate from lower respiratory infections in Guyana was approximately 31 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. This data highlights the urgent need to improve the management of respiratory diseases in the country. The Paolo Chiesi Foundation, through the GASP Model (Global Access to Sustainable Pulmonology), is working to address these challenges and improve the quality of life of patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
(Source: data.who.int)
Guyana in numbers
Guyana in numbers
Our intervention
The Paolo Chiesi Foundation’s collaboration in Guyana began in 2014 with the three-year “Partners in Care – Optimizing Asthma & COPD Diagnosis and Chronic Disease Management in Guyana” project, a respiratory medicine training initiative coordinated by Professor Robert Levy of the University of British Columbia, in collaboration with the British Columbia Lung Association.
Over the years, the intervention has evolved from training and strengthening diagnostic capacity into an integrated model for the development of respiratory health services, in collaboration with the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and the Ministry of Health of Guyana. The GPHC has become a reference center for the diagnosis and management of respiratory diseases, expanding its services to include respiratory allergies.
The Model has also expanded through a network of satellite health centers, managed by the GPHC or the Ministry of Health, whose staff are trained and supported in the diagnosis, management and follow-up of patients with chronic respiratory diseases. This approach helps bring services closer to communities and strengthen continuity of care.
Our intervention
The Paolo Chiesi Foundation’s collaboration in Guyana began in 2014 with the three-year “Partners in Care – Optimizing Asthma & COPD Diagnosis and Chronic Disease Management in Guyana” project, a respiratory medicine training initiative coordinated by Professor Robert Levy of the University of British Columbia, in collaboration with the British Columbia Lung Association.
Over the years, the intervention has evolved from training and strengthening diagnostic capacity into an integrated model for the development of respiratory health services, in collaboration with the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and the Ministry of Health of Guyana. The GPHC has become a reference center for the diagnosis and management of respiratory diseases, expanding its services to include respiratory allergies.
The Model has also expanded through a network of satellite health centers, managed by the GPHC or the Ministry of Health, whose staff are trained and supported in the diagnosis, management and follow-up of patients with chronic respiratory diseases. This approach helps bring services closer to communities and strengthen continuity of care.
Our main activities in Guyana
Strengthening diagnostic capacity, starting with the GPHC spirometry service and extending diagnostic expertise across the network of satellite centres.
Developing quality respiratory services, through training, protocols, diagnostic tools, and systems for patient management and monitoring, covering a range of respiratory conditions including asthma, COPD, and respiratory allergies.
Developing the hub & spoke network, connecting the GPHC with health centres across the country and strengthening staff capacity to bring respiratory diagnosis and care closer to patients.
We work also in
