-Roving teams initiative proving beneficial
GOVERNMENT, as part of its 2006 manifesto committed to building 10 hospitals that would provide an improved range of health services to Guyanese across the administrative regions. Two of these are at Lethem, Region Nine, and Mabaruma, Region One, which are equipped like the others with surgical , pharmacy, laboratory, inpatient and x- ray departments, among others.
However the administration recognises that it cannot at present provide all the necessary skills to operate these hospitals at maximum, hence it has deployed graduate doctors, supported by medex and nurses to cater for the health needs of residents in those communities.
This has further been complemented by the roving teams of doctors sent in by Minister in the Ministry of Health Dr Bheri Ramsaran. These teams comprise highly skilled professionals from the private sector, the Ministry of Health and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
Over the weekend, a team of doctors and support staff completed 28 surgeries at the Lethem Hospital for tubal ligation, excision of accessory breast (a condition that develops after pregnancy), cholecystectomy (removal of gall bladder), hernias (inguinal and incisional), hydrocoelectomy, excision of Bartholin’s cyst, excision of thyroglossal sinus, removal of plates and screw and wiring of dislocated thumb, and excision of exostosis (excess bone deposits).
Among the team’s members were Dr Sheik Amir (general surgeon), Dr Ravi Motilall (registrar in surgery), Dr David Samaroo (orthopaedic surgeon), Dr Genalin Ang, Optometrist and support staff such as nurse anesthetists and theatre nurses.
Teams are deployed periodically to the hospitals at the expense of the Ministry of Health. Local doctors in the communities conduct screening for surgery cases in advance of a team’s arrival.
This activity also allows quality health care to be provided to persons in need in the hinterland and for transfer of skills to young Cuban trained graduate Guyanese doctors.
Coordinator of the indigenous people communities, Nurse Patricia Singh, who led the team into Lethem, said that the outreach was successful and the persons from Lethem and other surrounding communities welcomed the intervention.
She pointed out that teams also had similar outreaches in other remote communities during the year and will continue to do so in the coming weeks.
Dr. Amir said that he was pleased to be part of the team and that the beneficiaries of the surgeries can now live a better and healthier life.
He said the team welcomes other medical professionals who are willing to volunteer their services for other communities earmarked for medical attention.
Orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Samaroo, said that the team did not only visit the areas to conduct surgeries but also shared their knowledge with medical professionals at the Lethem hospital to creatively address the level and scope of health services offered there.
“We have a pool of doctors and we are always encouraging doctors to join the pool so when the need arises we can call on them,” he said.
Other members of the team told the Government Information Agency that they were happy to be part of the outreach which will bring improved health and prolonged life to many who sought their services at the hospital during the two days.
Residents also had the opportunity to be screened for eye conditions by Dr. Genalin Ang, a Philippino eye specialist.
Other doctors who are part of the roving teams are: Dr Galton Roberts (obstetrician), Dr Neville Gobin (obstetrician), Dr Shoba Gobin (anesthesiologist), Dr Rohan Jabour (paedrician), Dr Surendra Persaud (general surgeon), Dr Fawcet Jeffrey (orthopaedic surgeon), Dr G Campbell (internal medicine), Dr Asha Purohit (obstetrician), Dr S. Kumar (internal medicine) and Dr Narine Singh (registrar in obstetrics).
Theatre nurses from Woodlands and St Joseph’s Mercy hospitals are also part of these visiting teams.
RAMS, a Non Governmental Organization, has also been helping the Health Ministry’s drive to provide a high level of medical services to residents in the hinterland.