THE 21st Annual Scientific Symposium, which focused on ‘Innovations in primary care…America & Guyana’, began here Friday and ended yesterday at the Guyana International Convention Center (GICC) at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

The Howard University, of the United States of America, is the facilitating agency for this two-day symposium (January 17-18, 2014). Howard University has accredited this Continuing Medical Education (CME) and will issue a certificate of attendance accordingly.

The topics discussed at the conference by various members of the Howard University Hospital Medical Association included the following:
* The Cardiovascular Continuum- Targeting Mechanisms of  Hypertension, by Dr David A. Gooray, a Guyanese hailing from Essequibo.
*  Red Cell Distribution of Width (RDW), an Emerging Prognostic Marker, by Dr Ghulum   Abbas.
* Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, by Dr Robert H. Dennis.
* Heart Failure: Diagnosis and Management, by Dr David J. Clardy.
* Historical Perspective: Public Health Management in the United States, by Dr Frederick J. Corder, M.D.
At the end of the symposium, there was a panel discussion on the topics, which included all faculties.
Speaking to this publication, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Shamdeo Persaud said this is the first time this event has been hosted in Guyana. He noted that it has featured approximately 43 doctors from the association, and he said that for the two days, primary focus will be featured on a wide range of chronic diseases.
He added that doctors from both the private and public hospitals have been invited to participate in the conference, at the end of which a trip to an idyllic destination will be planned for the doctors.
He pointed out that focus was also placed on those doctors who practise without a valid licence, and he pointed out that a person practising medicine without a licence would be charged and fined.

The CMO also stated that 200 doctors were expected on the first day of the event, while the second day would see between 250 and 300 in attendance.
He asserted that the mission is medical education, and said the team would deliver hours of lectures to the hundreds of Guyanese medical practitioners.
He lauded the university for both the initiative and for hosting it in Guyana, and urged medical practitioners to make full use of the opportunity.
President of the Association, Dr Frederick J. Corder, pointed out that all of the attendees from Howard University are graduates and each is well trained in his/her respective field – surgeons, paediatricians etc.
He said that each annual trip being offered to doctors usually sees them going to different sites.
He noted that the last symposium was held in Jamaica, but the response he has gotten here in Guyana this year is very impressive.
Another session will be held today (January 18) at the GICC, and topics which are to be discussed include:
* Diabetes, by Dr David A. Gooray.
* Vascular Complications of Insulin Resistance and Diabetes, By Dr David A. Gooray.
* Review of current Issues: Infant Mortality America by Dr Frederick  J. Corder.
* Update, Coronary Artery Disease by Dr David Clardy.
* Orthopaedics in Primary Care, by Dr Phillip H. Omohundro.
These will also be followed by a panel discussion with a particular focus on Diabetes.
This event has been endorsed by the Government of Guyana, the Ministry of Health and the Guyana Medical Society.
The group (Howard University Hospital Medical Association) will also be exploring the forging of professional and academic ties with the medical staff at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
During their reunion, the team would host a special event on January 20 to honour the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King (Jnr).
The visitors will be departing Guyana on January 21.
Written By Savitri Laikram