Market Intelligence
Healthcare Guatemala Central America

Guatemala Healthcare Infrastructure

Guatemala has a limited hospital infrastructure making it difficult to treat 17 million inhabitants. As of March 2020, the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS) operated 46 hospitals, approximately 1,200 health posts and centers, and 232 clinics and care centers throughout the country. The situation is alarming, since 75% of the population is served directly by MSPAS. A World Bank report indicates that, in 2020, the inventory of hospital beds is less than one per 1,000 inhabitants in Guatemala, one of the lowest in the region. This data reflects the fact that the government invests few resources in hospital and medical care infrastructure.

To guarantee availability, access and coverage of health care services for all the inhabitants of the country, Guatemala’s Congress approved three loans for a total of US$234 million to support expansion and development of the hospital network.  As a result of these loans, following are mid-term projects under development. The sources and purpose of the financing is as follows:

  • US$114.2 million from Central American Bank for Economic Integration funds and US$79.0 million, from the Republic of Korea to design, build and equip three new national hospitals in the departments of Suchitepéquez, Jutiapa and Alta Verapaz. The program includes the design, improvement, expansion and equipment of two hospitals in the departments of Sololá and Chiquimula. 
  • US$100 million from Inter-American Development Bank funds for the construction of two new hospitals in the departments of Huehuetenango and San Marcos.
  • US$20 million from World Bank funds to be invested for the construction of two new hospitals in the departments of Guatemala (Amatitlán) and Chimaltenango.

These public sector opportunities are published as tenders on the government procurement website GuateCompras.  It is advisable to any foreign company interested in engaging in a commercial relationship with an official or governmental entity to be associated with a local market participant. Foreign companies can participate in any government procurement modality without a local business associate but must show that the company has provisionally registered with the Mercantile Registry.  

For additional information, and additional details on potential opportunities, please contact Libby Mota at libby.mota@trade.gov.