WITHIN hours of their commencing operations at the Suddie Hospital in Essequibo yesterday, a 14-member team of doctors from the 11th Chinese Medical Brigade to Guyana had a number of Essequibo residents benefiting immensely from their work, as they successfully completed five surgeries — one being a plastic surgery — along with several screening exercises and check-ups.Under leadership of Dr. Wang Yongxiang, this efficient team of medical professionals has left many Essequibians in awe and wonderment at the fantastic job they performed yesterday.

Speaking with the Chronicle, Dr. Yongxiang said: “Every medical team from China to Guyana has been tasked with completing two of these outreach programmes during their tenure. However,

with the response and the correspondence we got from these patients here, we have been motivated and are willing to carry out more (operations), once called upon.”

The team comprised a General Surgeon, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Plastic Surgeon, Radiologist, Pathologist, Internal Medical Specialist, General Medical Officers and a Gynaecologist. Quite a number of patients were attended to for various illnesses which fell under the specialty of the Chinese doctors. They were either treated on the spot, underwent surgeries, or were recommended for specific medication.

The highlight of the day was, however, the successful completion of five surgeries in a matter of hours. One particular patient, whose face was disfigured, got her dream surgery, as the lone plastic surgeon on the team successfully completed her surgery.

Patients told this publication of their great delight to have been attended to by these Chinese professionals, whom they said were both effective and efficient. Some patients even said they had been ill for quite some time, but were constrained to travel to Georgetown for proper examination and treatment. They deemed this initiative by the medical brigade as ideal, because it gave them the opportunity to be properly examined.

The medical brigade also donated to the hospital a quantity of supplies ranging from surgical instruments to a nebulizer and protective gloves.

Management of the hospital thanked the brigade for its great work and contribution of medical supplies, and urged them to return sometime in the future to visit the Suddie Hospital.
By Navendra Seoraj