THOUSANDS of persons stand to benefit later this month when the George Subraj Foundation takes its signature health and eye care clinics to various parts of Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo).

The foundation, based in New York, continues to be passionate about providing healthcare services to Guyanese in need and would often visit to conduct the outreaches with the help of local authorities.

Cognisant that many Guyanese are without essential health care services and may not be able to afford simple tests, the foundation goes all out to render practical assistance to folks all across Guyana.

Beginning February 18, foundation member Richard B. Mahase, who is in Guyana coordinating the mission, will be at the Annai Health Complex. The team will continue at the Shulinab Health Centre on February 19 and at the Lethem Hospital on February 20.

Representatives of the Linden Hospital Complex and a 10-member team from the Georgetown Hospital will be accompanying Mahase on the trip to Region Nine, to be later followed by an outreach to Berbice. “RHO of Region Nine, Dr Mc Watt and his team, said this is a highly anticipated service and would benefit the thousands of residents immensely. Dr Shailendra Sugrim of GPHC is cooperating fully,” Mahase told this publication recently.

According to him, the foundation would not function as desired lately due to the coronavirus pandemic. “COVID is affecting every aspect of life globally. It has been the same for the U.S., so plans are shelved and rebooted accordingly, but we still had reasons to celebrate as this was a signal year for Guyana’s healthcare with the passage of the Organ Transplant Bill.”

Even with the challenges of the pandemic, the foundation intends to continue partnering with the Ministry Of Health to assist a healthy Guyana.

The foundation pioneered Guyana’s first kidney transplant in 2008, facing great odds. “From a country where renal-failure patients had to travel overseas for transplant, the dynamics have changed; and today, not only is[sic] living donor transplants possible, but an agency is in development to procure similar tissue from donors,” Mahase shared.

The same can be said for Corneal Transplant, he noted. “This Mr Subraj presided over in 2014, and after almost 100 surgeries where we purchased and flew in the corneas, harvesting is now possible locally from donors.

“Again, the formation of an Eye Bank is taking place. Overall, the foundation is proud of these medical milestones achieved by the subject Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, and his team in such a short time,” he continued.

The foundation wants to elevate the health care services of the nation. “An air traveller is told to put on their oxygen mask first in an emergency. In the same way, before helping another, one should think of their own health,” Mahase shared.

He said rudimentary things such as asking individuals to cook and consume less salt or avoiding white rice or white flour could have long-term benefits to the body.

Meanwhile, the foundation’s other team members are Gloria, Tony and Jasmine Subraj, along with Jay Jainarine. They have been coordinating various health initiatives in Guyana since the early 1990s, doing so with personal funds to give back to the country.

As usual, the team will be providing eye tests, blood sugar, pressure and glucose testing, and has brought in thousands 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.
Founder, Mr George Subraj (now deceased), always believed in helping the people of Guyana, according to the foundation members who are carrying on his legacy.