THE Georgetown Public Hospital has announced the installation of Dr. Peter Akai, Infectious Disease Specialist as Head Doctor, Diabetic Foot Centre in the absence of Dr. Kumar Sukhraj, Diabetic Foot Care Specialist.

In November 2013, Dr. Akai performed a ten-day stint at the Centre and again from 4th to 15th August 2014, helping in assessing patients on a daily basis, treating various types of wounds and counseling diabetic patients on their lifestyle and eating habits. Dr. Akai also gave a lecture to nurses on Infectious Disease Control which was very beneficial to the medical staff present.

Dr. Akai is a Canada-based Guyanese who is currently the Wound Care Consultant Physician at the Misericordia Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He is also the lead physician for the Wound Care Clinic which provides outpatient management for patients with wounds from peripheral vascular disease, diabetic neuropathy, including diabetic foot infection, venous stasis and pressure due to decreased mobility, including paraplegia.

He is a member of the Canadian Infectious Disease Society and the Founder/Medical Director of the ‘DOT for HAART’ (Directly Observed Therapy for Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Treatment) Society which is an HIV treatment adherence programme for marginalized HIV positive individuals with a history of homelessness.

Coming out of his most recent visit, Dr. Akai has made recommendations for new wound clinics to be started at GPHC to treat patients with non-diabetic wounds such as stasis leg wounds. These clinics would help to provide care to patients who are seen at the Emergency Rooms and other locations where wound expertise would be less thorough.

A release from the GPHC noted that as always the GPHC is grateful for the visits made by Dr. Akai and looks forward to his continued partnership with the institution in improving the quality of service provided to its patients.