–does 445 surgeries in just one month

THE National Ophthalmology Hospital (NOH) at Port Mourant East Berbice, reportedly saw some 1445 patients in January 2019.

This is according to statistics provided to the Guyana Chronicle by the doctor in charge of the hospital, Dr Devendra Radhay.
The NOH, which is housed in the compound of the Port Mourant Hospital, resumed performing major surgery in January 2019 after an almost four-year hiatus.

While cataract surgeries have not yet resumed, the facility was able to conduct some 125 surgeries during the period. Of that number, 23 were major, while 102 were minor procedures such as the removal of growing flesh and foreign bodies.

Dr Radhay explained that despite having such a large turnout in January alone, he expects the number to keep increasing as word spreads that the facility is up and running.

“We don’t have the resources to conduct the cataract surgeries as yet, but we do have a team visiting from the US between April to May that is earmarked to conduct over 200 cataract surgeries,” he said, adding that the US team will be bringing in their own equipment and medical personnel to conduct the surgeries, and that he is hoping that by then the facility will be able to conduct its own, and help as well with the backlog of cases that have been building up.

Further, in keeping with the government and Health Ministry’s mandate to make health care accessible to all, Dr Radhay, who took over the reign of the Port Mourant Hospital on December 3 last year, has taken eye care to the remote communities of Black Bush Polder and Skeldon. According to Radhay, the eye care specialist will now, once monthly, host clinics at the Mibicuri Hospital in Black Bush Polder as well as the Skeldon Hospital, on different dates to cater for patients who may find it difficult to make the trip to the lower Corentyne area.

The clinic at the Skeldon Hospital is hoping to meet the residents in the Upper Corentyne area and residents of the Amerindian communities of Orealla and Sipiruta, who can stay free of charge at the Amerindian Hostel there. At the clinics, it is envisaged that there will be follow-ups for patients who have visited the facility as well as help screen patients and issue referrals, and even conduct minor surgeries. In January when it was introduced, 24 and 25 patients were seen at Skeldon and Mibicuri respectively.

“Those numbers are relatively good because it was just introduced and it will continue to increase as more people start spreading the word. Many have pledged to return with their entire families on the next clinic date, so it is definitely making it easier for the residents” Dr Radhay noted.

The facility is also expected to receive a boost with the replacement of all its old equipment with new ones. This process has already begun and is expected to be completed soon, and will be able to assist the staff in meeting the needs of the expected increase in patients.

Also at the facility, there are three self-contained recovery rooms that can house four beds each, and are equipped with all modern amenities to cater for patients who undergo major eye surgery and are required to remain in house for treatment and observation. These rooms, along with the wards of the Port Mourant Hospital, will soon be in demand when cataract surgeries resume.

The National Ophthalmology Hospital was constructed in July 2009 under an agreement with the Government of Cuba, and has treated thousands of patients from Guyana and the Caribbean. Patients are seen Monday to Friday, but there are ophthalmologists on call 24 hours for emergency cases.