IN its 40th mission here in Guyana, the George Subraj Foundation out of New York City would be conducting five health clinics across the country, beginning today (Friday), that will see residents in these communities benefitting from a number of free services.
With members based in New York, the foundation has been coordinating various health initiatives in Guyana since in the early 1990s, doing so with personal funds in an effort to give back to the country. The team was all set to continue its eye screening programme last year when the Coronavirus Pandemic stepped in and put a pause on the work. However, when vaccines started to be rolled out in New York and restrictions started to be lifted, the foundation decided to put together its current mission. The only member of the foundation here at the moment, Mr. Richard B. Mahase, has been working hard over the past week to visit and interact with community residents as he plans to continue the eye care programme. Soon he will be joined by another member, Mahindro ‘Jay’ Jainarine, and other members may possibly join them in time.

Mahase told Guyana Chronicle on Thursday that while here, the team will also be looking to see how it can contribute towards kidney education. The late George Subraj, who founded the organisation, had pioneered Guyana’s first kidney transplant in 2008 and has completed dozens of missions, participating in both kidney and cornea transplants. His team also initiated the Nationwide Health Education Programme (SEVAK) providing free hypertension and glucose testing.
The five clinics this time will again be held in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
The team will today be at the Mortice Primary School, located at Mortice Branch Road, Mahaicony. On March 13, residents of Berbice will be served at the Chenick Parents’ Residence, Betsy Ground, East Canje. On March 14, the team will make its way to the Blake Primary School, Parika, East Bank Essequibo, and on March 16, residents of Kwakwani, Linden will have an opportunity to benefit from the services. The activities will start at 8:00 hours on each day.

According to Mahase, the team has been receiving great support so far and is looking forward to the cooperation of members of the public to conduct themselves in line with COVID-19 protocols. The team will be providing eye tests, along with blood sugar, pressure and glucose testing and has brought in approximately 3,000 pairs of glasses for adults and children including anti-glare and blue light glasses. The foundation members have also brought with them masks, personal protective equipment, thermometers and oximeters, and a wealth of knowledge that they plan to share at the clinics.
A private clinic for the Guyana Police Force (GPF) will also be held on Thursday. At its GPF clinic last year, dozens of policemen and women showed up at the Officers’ Training Centre in Kingston for eye services in a process that was smooth, easy, and carefully planned. Apart from Mahase and Jainarine, other foundation members are Gloria, Tony and Jasmine Subraj.