UNITED States (U.S.) based Guyanese philanthropist, Mr. George Subraj, who has been very instrumental in the historic conduct of paediatric heart surgeries in Guyana, has been highly praised locally.

It happened at a reception, held last Monday night at Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown, for the team of medical professionals involved in the operations performed at Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH), in collaboration with the Caribbean Heart Institute (CHI).

Subraj, who is the sponsor of the undertakings, noted that the team was at the GPH until midnight last Sunday but were out early the next morning.

“They are really, truly dedicated professionals,” he declared at the function, where most of the members were not present, because they were still at the hospital about 23:00 hrs.

Subraj said the plan was to have the activity on Thursday night but some of those who came from abroad were scheduled to leave earlier that day.

Receiving plaques in recognition of their sterling contribution towards the mission were Ingrid Hollinger and Tatyana Rozenthal (both nesthesiologists) and Marihetta Africano Sabido (intensive care nurse).

Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran also handed over some tokens of appreciation to the recipients, urging them to remember Guyana and its beauty, through DVDs entitled ‘Guyana – Yours to Discover.’ 

The others who were absent and will receive their gifts another time are  Joanne Mora and Shubhika Srivastava (cardiologists); Sheel Vatsia (surgeon); Jeanine Lutgen (assistant surgeon); Robert Stroud and Trace Baker (perfusionist, heart/lung machine); Colsie Elaine Myrie, Marlene Kuanken Juanico and Margie Enriquez Lutian (intensive care nurses) and Maureen Fitzpatrick Gilroy (oral rehydration tech).

Subraj, a businessman, recalled that he met the Chief Executive Officer of CHI, Dr. Gary Stephens, several months ago on another charity mission and he later told him about this project and the former expressed a desire in playing a major role in making it a reality.

Also the proprietor of Zara Realty in Queens, New York, Subraj said, since 1992, he has been coming back to Guyana to help the less fortunate and has been blessed.

He added: “I feel that, before I leave this planet, I should give something back to the less fortunate.”

Subraj acknowledged the support and effort of his wife, children, brothers and family in the projects to help those in need, while reiterating his appreciation and thanks to Stephens and the other medical professionals.

Minister Ramsaran, in his remarks, observed: “Even as we are enjoying ourselves here, our medical professionals are in the hospital looking at the patients.”

MAJOR OPERATIONS                   
He said he was told they had already completed the surgeries, the major operations they came to do but that was not the end of it.

“They have to see that the patients recover and are comfortable and the staff taking over are properly briefed and capable of keeping the patients going,” Ramsaran explained.

The minister said, because of the smooth way in which the process has been going and the response on the Guyanese side, it is expected that this project will expand more and more.

He gave the assurance that the Ministry of Health and the wider Administration will continue to lend support.

Ramsaran disclosed that one Caribbean national, from Trinidad and Tobago, is on board and expressed his hope that this is just the beginning.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Ralph Ramkarran, who also spoke, thanked Subraj for, once again, coming and displaying the generosity for which Guyanese are known.

“And I am proud to say, displaying the generosity that Bel Air people are known for, a place where we both come from,” he disclosed.

Ramkarran continued: “This is a very important occasion for Guyana, because, without this kind of assistance, a lot of people here go through tremendous strain. I am sure many of you have been aware of the programmes for helping children, especially children with heart conditions and the very difficult circumstances and great difficulties that they have been undergoing.”

He said, hopefully, this programme will continue and bring greater and greater success.

BEL AIR
Ramkarran also wished Subraj and his family wellness, long life and good health, so that he can continue his good work for this country for many years in the future.

Former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Doodnauth Singh, who is also from Bel Air, noted that this area has always been important to him, having spent some 25 years there when Subraj and his family lived very near to him.

“George is appreciative of the fact that he is a Guyanese and what he is doing is not remarkable for a Guyanese, because he has achieved so much,” Singh said.

He went on: “George is not doing something that is unique to our culture and our tradition,” underlining that Hinduism accepts that there comes a point in time when you have to do what is revered of you and give to your community.

Singh asked: “Why do we call ourselves Hindus and why do we call ourselves Guyanese?”

He answered:  “We must always remember where we have come from and what we have to contribute and do for our society. What George and his team of technicians are doing is only a small part of what is required of us all to do.”

Emphasising that paediatric surgery is important for Guyanese, Singh exhorted  Minister Ramsaran to encourage the concept adhered to by Subraj and his team.

“It is my privilege to say that I am associated with those people from Bel Air who have done so much for this country and continue to do so much for all of us,” he concluded. 

People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament (MP), and  attorney-at-law, Mr. Anil Nandlall, similarly, expressed gratitude for the great services being rendered by Subraj, who is  also theVice-President of Guyana Watch. 

“Thousands have left these shores and it is a great service that they have been doing to have come back here, year after year, and render their tremendous service to the people of this country. And, as a Guyanese and an MP, I must say that I am grateful for all that they have done and I wish to encourage them to continue their distinguished work,” Nandlall said. 

He assured that the work being done is well received and told Subraj: “The philanthropic work that you have been doing in this country is well recognised by the people of this country, is acknowledged and we hope that you continue. 

“I know that many Guyanese have left these shores and have not returned to do the work that you have been doing. You have been an exceptional ambassador of your country,” Nandlall declared.

“…you have been serving your Dharma, you have been serving your religion, you have been doing what you are required to do as a human being,” he said, encouraging  Subraj to pursue his altruistic work. 

Another attorney-at-law, Mr. Joe Misir said it is, indeed, wonderful that someone who left Guyana and attained success can come to give back to their homeland.

He said, despite difficulties and problems faced by Subraj, he ultimately succeeded.

“I would like you to understand that, having done all that, George has com
e back and is giving back to his beloved country Guyana. He is giving back wholeheartedly. He is giving back to every Guyanese, regardless of religion, race or anything.

“George only sees Guyanese and he has come back here with his big open heart,” said Misir, agreeing that Subraj is, certainly, someone to be admired, who  inspires and motivates others to do the same thing.

Subraj was also instrumental in initiating Guyana’s first kidney transplant on Munesh Mangal almost two years ago and his other charitable projects include the Learning Centre at the Cove and John Ashram on the East Coast Demerara and a computer laboratory at Saraswati Niketan, Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara.