GPHC to launch retinopathy screening, laser treatment –for diabetic patients soon
Consultant Ophthalmologist in the Department of Ophthalmology, and Clinical Coordinator of the Guyana Diabetes Programme, Dr. Shailendra Sugrim
Consultant Ophthalmologist in the Department of Ophthalmology, and Clinical Coordinator of the Guyana Diabetes Programme, Dr. Shailendra Sugrim

THE Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) is set to introduce retinopathy screening and laser treatment for diabetic patients soon.According to a GPHC release, the programme is expected to be launched on February 19, and the initiative which is a component of the Guyana Diabetes Care Project will be the first of its kind in the public system.

The programme is expected to last for three years but based on the success of the project, further planning to extend it will also be considered, the release stated.
Meanwhile, Consultant Ophthalmologist in the Department of Ophthalmology, Clinical Coordinator of the Guyana Diabetes Programme, Dr. Shailendra Sugrim disclosed that once the programme is launched the initial setup and planning will commence.
He said that by mid-year, official screening and treatment will begin after equipment procurement, human resource training and other project details have been completed.
SCREENING CENTRE
Dr Sugrim further noted that to enhance the programme a screening centre will be established at the GPHC which will be accessible to all diabetic patients. Screening will be done by taking photos of the retina (eye nerve).
“These pictures will then be graded and patients will be informed if they are suffering from diabetic retinopathy or not and if they require treatment or not,” he said
Moreover, a laser centre will also be established at the GPHC and like the screening centre, all patients who need laser treatment will be allowed access. He said, “This is a pioneering project as it will be the first time that the public system will be offering laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy.”
The project has multiple stakeholders and the primary funding agencies are World Diabetes Foundation and Orbis International while the local stakeholders are the GPHC and the Ministry of Health.

DIABETES
Diabetes is a chronic disease ailment which affects about 14% of the Guyanese population. It can affect the eyes and cause diabetic retinopathy, a condition where the blood vessels of the eye nerve (retina) become damaged and causes bleeding in the eye nerve.
This leads to blurred vision and blindness if not treated early, hence the need for screening of all patients with diabetes to identify persons suffering with diabetic retinopathy and to initiate early treatment for them.
Dr. Sugrim said, “We estimate that about 19,000 diabetic patients in Guyana suffer with diabetic retinopathy and of these about 5,000 have sight-threatening disease that need treatment.”

 

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