–for good practices in women’s leadership

THE doctor-in-charge and lead-doctor at the COVID-19/Infectious Diseases Hospital, Tracey Bovell, is set to receive a prestigious award from the Organisation of American States (OAS) for good practices in women’s leadership.

Dr. Bovell, according to the Ministry of Health, will receive the award under the category of women’s leadership in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
She will receive this award during the summit in the presence of almost every Head of State from the Americas, as the ceremony will be held during the IX Summit of the Americas on June 9, 2022, in Los Angeles, California.

Dr. Bovell was selected from among other local doctors who were nominated by Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony.
“The Minister of Health, on behalf of the Ministry of Health, joins with the GPHC [Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation] to extend congratulations to Dr. Tracey Bovell, a consultant in Emergency Medicine at the GPHC on her being recognised internationally for the distinguished, excellent and compassionate leadership she provided in the treatment and care of COVID-19 patients in Guyana,” the Health Ministry said.

Dr. Bovell has been among the persons leading the charge in the fight against COVID-19 in her capacity at the Infectious Disease Hospital, which opened its doors for operation in September 2020.
Since then, the hospital has treated more than 3,500 critically ill COVID-19 patients. The facility has often been fully occupied with more than 100 critically-ill patients and often with more than 30 patients in the intensive care unit (ICU).

The hospital has 195 beds with capacity for ventilator-based treatment, surgeries, dialysis, radiological and imaging interventions.
Boasting a staff complement of 250, the facility caters for adults and children and provides complete maternal care for COVID-19- affected women.

Although Dr. Bovell took charge of the Infectious Diseases Hospital in September 2020, her leadership in the fight against COVID-19 started before that.
She was part of the clinical team that crafted the COVID-19 response from the time it became a pandemic. Guyana’s first COVID-19 case and its first COVID-19 mortality was discovered on March 11, 2020.

Dr. Bovell was appointed, at the time (March 2020), as the Chairperson for the GPHC COVID-19 Taskforce.
She led a team of specialists from various departments of the hospital to craft the first set of protocols and guidelines for COVID-19, including the protocols for diagnosis, treatment and occupational health and safety.

LEADING FROM THE FRONT
As part of her responsibilities, Dr. Bovell led sensitisation sessions with healthcare providers and other staff in the health sector and other sectors in all 10 regions of Guyana.

“In the early days, when COVID-19 caused intense illness and had a high mortality rate, Dr. Bovell fearlessly became the face of the treatment programme. Yet, she found time to communicate with family and friends of those who were critically ill and who could not benefit from families being around them,” the Health Ministry said.

In the face of high mortality among critically ill COVID-19 patients, Dr. Bovell remained resilient, determined and compassionate in her quest to ensure that patients were receiving quality care.
The minister, the Ministry of Health and GPHC recognised that Dr. Bovell could not have succeeded alone.

The support, equal dedication and commitment from many doctors, nurses, technologists, other allied healthcare providers played a significant role in Guyana being able to provide quality and life-saving treatment to thousands of Guyanese who survived the vicious and deadly illnesses that COVID-19 caused.

“In recognising the contributions and the leadership of Tracey Bovell, we also recognise the meritorious service from hundreds of healthcare providers. Dr. Bovell’s recognition is recognition for all of them.
“Dr. Bovell’s leadership in the COVID-19 response has made an indelible mark in the story of public health in Guyana. Dr. Bovell is a woman of worth in our country,” the Health Ministry related.