The LAMAT 2026 mission was completed on March 27, 2026, in Georgetown, Guyana, marking a significant collaboration between U.S. Air Force and Guyanese medical personnel. This mission is the third engagement in Guyana, following similar missions in 2023 and 2025.
During the mission, nearly 3,000 patient encounters were conducted across 26 specialties, highlighting the extensive healthcare services provided. The teams performed approximately 200 surgical procedures and over 600 emergency care encounters, addressing critical health needs in the region.
In addition to direct patient care, the mission focused on enhancing local medical infrastructure, with more than 130 critical medical devices repaired. A four-day mass casualty management training workshop was also a key component, where over 100 Guyanese and U.S. Air Force personnel received training.
Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Leigh Swanson emphasized the importance of such collaborations, stating, “LAMAT is a collaboration designed to build the partnerships, readiness and interoperability that enable us to respond effectively to challenges together as we work to build a stronger, safer and more prosperous Western Hemisphere.”
Nicole D. Theriot, a representative from the U.S. Department of War, remarked on the mission’s long-term impact: “These engagements are designed to enhance the institutional capacity of our partners, their medical infrastructure, and to foster seamless collaboration between our medical communities.”
Brigadier Omar Khan from the Guyanese Defense Force noted the training aspect, saying, “For the Defense Force, we were able to train the trainers,” ensuring that the skills acquired will benefit the local medical community long after the mission’s conclusion.
President Dr. Mohamed Irfan Ali highlighted the intrinsic link between healthcare and national security, stating, “A nation cannot be truly secure if its people are unwell, underserved, or uncertain about their access to care.”
The mission is part of U.S. Southern Command’s health security cooperation efforts, which aim to improve medical readiness and strengthen international partnerships. The U.S. ambassador also underscored the importance of expanding healthcare access and quality in Guyana.
Future missions are planned to continue in 2027, furthering the commitment to enhance healthcare capabilities in the region. The LAMAT 2026 mission exemplifies the ongoing collaboration between the U.S. and Guyana in addressing healthcare challenges.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the specific outcomes of the training programs and the long-term sustainability of the initiatives introduced during the mission.
