– Subraj Foundation completes outreaches in Regions Six and Nine
THOUSANDS of people in remote locations across Regions Six and Nine have recently benefited from an outreach programme by the Subraj Family Foundation and the Ophthalmology Department of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), leaving many of them without words as they received eye-care services and glasses – some for the very first time in their lives.
Clive Edwards, for example, a resident from one of the far-flung Rupununi villages, said his eye problems had progressed to the point where he could barely see. “When I was young, I used to see far distance, but since 2013 I have blood sugar. I was almost blind. Today, I received glasses that are helping me to see far distances again,” he expressed.
Like many others who received their glasses, Edwards is especially looking forward to being able to read again. “I am so happy to be here to see the eye doctors,” he said.
Approximately 500 persons from 14 different communities within the district of Annai attended the clinic there, with many children and elderly ones. The residents have not had access to ophthalmology services for quite some time now; hence, many were appreciative of the visiting teams. Some 4,000 pairs of glasses (readers, distant, blue light and sunglasses) were distributed.
The teams saw many elderly ones with cataracts and other serious eye conditions that require surgery. In fact, about 100 cataract/pterygium/glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy patients were identified.
“This outreach, which was part of our activities for World Glaucoma Week, was very timely, especially in Region Nine where a number of cases were diagnosed,” Head of the GPHC Ophthalmology Department, Dr Shailendra Sugrim, noted.
“As we work collectively to address these and help establish permanent structures, advances have been made at Lethem, Region Nine, where a building has been identified to service ophthalmology patients going forward. The same is in place at Suddie, Region Two,” he shared.
“And as opportune as these outreaches are, working with the Subraj Foundation is helping us explore ways to prepare the buildings for full-time service. There is still a way to go in terms of equipment and staff, but the process has begun,” he added.
President of the Subraj Foundation, Tony Subraj, offered that the plan is to collaborate with Dr Sugrim and his department to establish a structured service for the needy communities of Guyana. “The fact that the government has invested in buildings, we are optimistic that a progressive alliance will take shape shortly and residents will get the help needed for their eye diagnoses earlier.”
To this end, having conducted five well-attended health clinics at Annai, Shulinab, Lethem, Chesney-Fyrish, and Number 57 Village, Corentyne, the Ophthalmology Department and Subraj Foundation are actively planning their return to other far-flung, needy communities of the country.
Regular Outreaches
While eye care, glucose and hypertension testing are featured services by the foundation, Mission Coordinator Richard B Mahase said that the Chesney-Fyrish clinic was augmented with additional specialties.
“Director of Regional Health Services, Region Six, Dr Vishalya Sharma provided dental, ultrasound, vaccination and blood-donation units. The number of persons for vaccination, especially second and booster shots, exceeded our expectations; the same for the sonogram machine. The demand was constant,” Mahase shared.
Kept at Fyrish Number 2 Masjid with over 500 residents attending, Member of Parliament Faizal Jaffarally was overwhelmed by the response and thanked the masjid and its executive for hosting the team.
“Bringing this level of health service to one’s doorstep from New York and Georgetown with added professionals from Region Six, is first of all commendable of our health care workers giving up their weekend; and most importantly working as a cohesive unit to serve so many is meritorious,” Mahase quoted the MP as saying.
“Based on the numbers we are seeing at these clinics, the region is looking at ways to introduce regular outreaches. We are at the planning stages and can hopefully introduce these with the assistance of the community leaders,” he added.
With supplies also provided to schoolchildren present, Gloria, Jasmine Subraj and Jay Jainarine are already consumed with plans for the foundation’s June-July 2022 visit.
