THE GEROGETOWN Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) took time out Wednesday to recognise the presence of four overseas healthcare professionals, who, according to Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, are here to assist the hospital in their commitment to fill the gaps of skill shortages. 

The overseas healthcare professionals include Dr. Nancy de las Mercedes Sitchao Suarez, a Consultant Pathologist from Cuba; Dr. Justo Despaigne Deslisle, a Consultant Oncologist also from Cuba; Dr. Helen Holtby, an Anesthesiologist and member of the International Children’s Heart Foundation (ICHF) from Toronto, Canada; and Roy Morris, a Biomedical Engineer from Memphis, USA, who is also with the ICHF.
According to Minister Ramsaran, “the GPHC and the Ministry of Health is committed to filling the gaps as to why they are experiencing shortage in skills,” and the help from the overseas healthcare professionals will contribute towards them achieving that goal.
Moreover, he stated, they now have a boost in addressing the issues with pathology which has been occurring for the past few months, and they can also strengthen the oncology department as well as expand anesthesiology services.
Apart from the medical aspect, the biomedical engineers with the assistance of Morris will now be able to develop their knowledge on how to improve the maintenance of various equipment in the hospital.
Minister Ramsaran also urged the foreign healthcare professionals to take time to pass on their skills to the locals in building the GPHC.
OPEN HEART SURGERY
Meanwhile, the ICHF along with the Ministry of Health have embarked on another project that involves an ICHF team coming to Guyana in April to perform open heart surgeries on a select group of children, who are in immediate need of medical attention.
Last year ICHF assisted in taking 15 Guyanese babies to the Dominican Republic to perform open heart surgeries, which were all successful.

According to the Health Minister, Morris came to Guyana about a month ago to do an analysis of the hospital’s heart institute, in terms of the availability of equipment. As a follow-up, he and Dr. Holtby are back here to further develop certain areas.
Speaking at the press conference, Morris stated that “if open heart surgery is introduced in Guyana it could be beneficial because not only will persons save money from not having to travel, but they will also be able to comfort their loved ones right here instead of having the agony of thinking they’re all alone in another country undergoing the surgery.”
He also noted that from consistently performing this type of surgery here, local surgeons will be exposed to the process and will be able to enhance their skills.
“Once we leave, the local healthcare professionals will be able to carry out the procedure, if not on a large scale they will be able to do so on a small scale,” he said.
DONATIONS
Morris disclosed that during his last visit he noticed that the hospital had lacked some of the equipment to carry out necessary procedures, such as a heart-lung bypass machine, ventilators and life support equipment.
“Fortunately for the GPHC, the ICHF had received a heart-lung bypass machine which they will be further donating to GPHC, along with four ventilators and life support equipment,” said Morris.
He added that the ICHF has been aiding the GPHC for two years and the support will be continuous as they intend to contribute to the development of Guyana’s health sector.

(By Navendra Seoraj)