–hospital says neither doctor nor his nurse spoke about COVID-19 symptoms

THE medical fraternity recently mourned the death of renowned Paediatrician, Dr. Seepersaud Chatterdeo, but with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) being responsible for his demise, the Dr. Balwant Singh’s Hospital has mobilised testing for its staff and has since quarantined them.
Dr. Chatterdeo, who once headed the Paediatrics Department of Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), worked part-time at the Dr. Balwant Singh’s Hospital, the same institution which treated him before his demise last Sunday.

According to reports, following the doctor’s demise, a sample was taken from his body and it was tested for COVID-19. The sample tested positive for the disease.
“To protect our patients and staff we have informed all who may have been in contact with him to remain vigilant and be tested if they experience any symptoms, this includes patients deemed at risk, and their families.

“We have also tested and quarantined all medical personnel that were involved in his care while at the hospital. It must be noted that this action was taken the day after we received information that he had tested positive for COVID-19, even though we did not have the final report in our possession,” said the Dr. Balwant Singh’s Hospital in a statement, on Sunday.

While the hospital expressed “deep sadness” over the passing of Dr. Chatterdeo, the institution said neither the doctor nor his nurse, who was employed by him, ever indicated that they were experiencing symptoms similar to those of COVID-19. Dr. Chattardeo was only brought to the hospital two hours before his demise, said the institution in its statement.

In an effort to ensure that other health facilities, where Dr. Chattardeo also worked, take the necessary steps of contact tracing and containment, the Dr. Balwant Singh’s Hospital also informed the Ministry of Health’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud, of these developments.
In the face of this ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Balwant Singh’s Hospital remains vigilant to protect the lives of all who seek health care there, as well as the lives of caregivers and their families.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly-discovered coronavirus. Most people, who fall sick with COVID-19, will experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover without special treatment.
The WHO had said that 81 per cent of persons, who contract COVID-19, will have mild symptoms while 14 per cent will have severe symptoms and five per cent will need intensive care.

Although a large percent of the infected persons show only mild symptoms of the disease, the country, in addition to losing Dr. Chatterdeo, has lost 46 persons.
Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony had hailed Dr. Chatterdeo as Guyana’s most respected paediatrician.
According to a recent statement from the health minister, outside of being one of Guyana’s most respected paediatricians, Dr. Chatterdeo was a “dear teacher” to several medical students and medical interns.

“He dedicated his young life to ensuring his students had all his attention and benefitted from his knowledge and experience. He treated his students as his sisters and brothers. Dr. Chatterdeo also contributed immensely to the continuing medical education programme for practising physicians in Guyana,” Dr. Anthony noted.

Every life lost to COVID-19 was precious, and while there is no specific treatment or approved vaccine for this dreaded disease, authorities have been implementing preventative measures such as a national curfew and social distancing guidelines.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or any concerns about which you need information, please contact the COVID-19 Hotline numbers – 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 – or visit the Ministry of Health’s website at www.health.gov.gy.