The Diamond Diagnostic Centre is to be temporarily closed to undergo transformation into a SMART Hospital but COVID-19 patients will remain at the facility.
Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony on Saturday confirmed that the facility at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre which is housing COVID-19 patients will not be closed while the Diagnostic Centre is being turned into a SMART Hospital. SMART hospitals have been listed as more resilient, safer, greener and environmentally sound facilities. The Diamond hospital was set to undergo the upgrade in January of last year and the transformation was to be completed by May or June of this year. However, the upgrade will now be done within a six-week period, from September 1 to October 16.
The East Bank of Demerara centre is one of the five health facilities that was identified by the previous health minister to be upgraded. The other facilities identified are the Leonora Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Mabaruma and Lethem Regional Hospitals, and the Paramakatoi Health Centre.