SCORES of patients who have for years been suffering from various heart diseases benefited from a free two-day cardiology consultation with a team of specialists brought from the United States of America (US) in a George Subraj-organized initiative that followed a request from Dr. Balwant Singh of the Balwant Singh Hospital at Lot 314 East Street, Georgetown.

The sessions were conducted on Friday and Saturday, and dozens of patients embraced the opportunity to speak one-on-one with the specialists.
Speaking with this publication on Saturday, George Subraj said Dr. Balwant Singh had asked him to organise a visit from a team of cardiology specialists at his hospital, hence the team’s arrival in Guyana to assist.

He explained that Dr. Singh had described the visit as crucial, as he wanted to provide that service to heart patients.

The visiting team, comprising Dr. Rajiv Jouhar and Dr. Perwaiz, backed up by local qualified cardiologist Dr Jose Ocampo, performed several procedures at the Balwant Singh Hospital’s state-of-the-art theatre on Saturday.

One patient, a 56-year-old woman who suffered triple-vessel heart disease, was seen by the team, who recognised that she had classic symptoms of a blockage of the artery, and a procedure was done in which a stent was inserted to clear the artery.

Dr. Jouhar said the patient had 100% blockage, and it would not have been possible for that procedure to be performed locally, but the expertise and equipment at the Balwant Singh Hospital facilitated the successful procedure.

He said that during Friday morning the team saw 17 heart patients, and on Saturday they saw another 30, some of whom had successful procedures done while others could not be accommodated because of the team’s limited time here in Guyana.

Dr. Jouhar added there is great need for local specialised heart-related treatment and care, but the team was able to complete only eight procedures, all with 100% success during the two-day period.

Dr. Balwant Singh, who was present during one such procedure on Saturday, said he is very pleased with the support from the team and George Subraj.

He said his institution is up to par with international standards, and is fully equipped with modern technology and highly trained staff.

George Subraj said his first visit to Guyana was facilitated by the Caribbean Heart Institute (CHI), but this visit lent support to the Balwant Singh Hospital following a request, and he was very pleased with the outcome.

A heart patient who had a stent placed in her artery in a procedure witnessed by this reporter on Saturday morning said she felt 100% better. She had suffered from triple-vessel disease for the past four years, and has been exploring treatment options until Saturday. That woman, a diabetic, hypertensive and asthmatic case, is on the road to recovery.

On arrival of the team from the US at the Balwant Singh Hospital, an advertisement had been placed in the newspapers about the two-day free consultation; and it caught the attention of many, who showed up at the hospital to take advantage of the offer.

Several had successful procedures, while others are on the waiting list and were advised following consultation with the specialists.
Written By Michel Outridge