-surgery not possible because brain not responding
AMIDST deepening anxiety and a woefully disquieting mood surrounding the health condition of Mr. Winston Murray, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) has broken the silence. The PNCR, in a statement yesterday disclosed that Mr. Murray, CCH, MP, its Shadow Minister of Finance and long standing member, ‘remains in a critical condition at the Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Hospital.’

NO BRAIN ACTION
The statement further stated that “after an evaluation conducted by neurosurgeon, Professor Ivor Crandon, this morning (yesterday), it was determined that no surgical intervention could be done at this time” because of the responses from his vital organs including, no responses from his brain. In these circumstances, Mr. Murray remains on life support at the Georgetown Hospital.

The PNCR said that Mr. Murray’s wife and family have been fully briefed by the doctors on his present condition, adding that, future action will depend on their decisions.

The PNCR has expressed its sincere gratitude to all the doctors and medical personnel at the Georgetown Hospital and Dr. Crandon for the medical care that they are continuing to provide Mr. Murray.

The party also expresses its gratitude to all Guyanese at home and abroad who have rallied in support of Mr. Murray’s medical care and recovery. They assured that their prayers are being offered for him and his immediate family.

Meanwhile, the party has promised that it will continue to keep its members and supporters updated on Mr. Murray’s condition.
Mr. Murray, 69, collapsed at Mc Doom, East Bank Demerara last Thursday, while standing in a line. He managed to hand his car keys over to someone nearby whom he asked to drive him to the Balwant Singh Hospital, East Street. This was done and he was later transferred the GPHC in an unconscious state, and suffering cerebral haemorrhaging.
Meanwhile, Minister of Health, Dr, Leslie Ramsammy in a statement said that the Government of Guyana is saddened by the illness of Mr. Winston Murray who has been an important public servant for decades and has made significant contributions to our country, Guyana. He said Government wishes a positive outcome as Mr. Murray struggles for his life.
Dr. Ramsammy assured that the Ministry of Health and the GPHC have been mandated to take all necessary action to ensure the best possible care is provided to Mr. Murray and said too, that the total GOG machinery has been trying to do all  it can to support his recovery.

GOVT PLEDGES FULL SUPPORT
Additionally, the Government of Guyana has indicated its full support for Dr. Crandon’s possible visit and Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, indicated this to Mr. Robert Corbin and to Dr. Van West Charles that the Ministry of Health will pay the total cost of the airfare and all other associated costs for Dr. Crandon’s visit to Guyana.

“The GPHC doctors have been in discussion among themselves and in consultation with Dr. Ivor Crandon, a Guyanese neurosurgeon, who works at the University of West Indies (UWI) and the general hospital in Kingston, Jamaica, the Health Minister said, adding that the Ministry of Health has engaged the family of Mr. Murray and also colleagues of his in these discussions.

He assured that the  medical providers at the GPHC and private physicians at Dr. Balwant Singh’s Hospital have worked together, have consulted with Dr. Crandon and other colleagues, and said that the doctors have been ‘very open’ and have not sought to hide the severity of the clinical condition of Mr. Murray from his family or his colleagues.

SURGERY NOT POSSIBLE
As a result, even though the medical team at the GPHC was ready and was on standby to operate on Mr. Murray, there was consensus between them and   the team at the Balwant Singh Hospital, in consultation with Dr. Crandon, who all agreed that surgery was not possible.  It was therefore considered the best option to have Mr. Murray managed medically through life support, Dr. Ramsammy said.

PRAYERS
“We urge every Guyanese to pray and hope for the best for Mr. Murray.  He deserves the prayers of every Guyanese, regardless of politics, race or religion.  Doctors and ordinary citizens alike truly hope for a miracle,” Dr. Ramsammy acknowledged.
It is not a time for politics. Noting that a statesman is fighting valiantly for his life, Dr. Ramsammy observed that it is not a time for politics, but a time when Guyanese of every walk of life should be praying and hoping that Mr. Murray pulls through this tragic event.