– 136 successful procedures completed in 2025 as hospital expands specialist capacity

THE Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has recorded another major milestone in its drive to reduce the backlog of patients awaiting orthopaedic surgery, completing 28 joint replacement operations in just three days — surpassing its target for the latest phase of its national surgical initiative.
Between Friday, November 7, and Sunday, November 9, 2025, GPHC’s Orthopaedic Department, led by Dr. Kaaleshwar Ramcharran, successfully performed 18 knee and 10 hip replacements, providing life-changing treatment to 22 female and six male patients.

The accomplishment brings the total number of joint replacement surgeries completed at GPHC this year to 136, all conducted by Guyanese medical specialists — a testament to the hospital’s growing technical capacity and its commitment to delivering advanced surgical care locally.
These operations, which can cost up to GYD $2.5 million in the private sector, were performed free of charge at the public institution. Patients benefitted from a comprehensive team effort involving orthopaedic surgeons, anaesthetists, physiotherapists, nurses, and theatre staff.
“This initiative is not just about meeting numbers; it’s about transforming lives,” Dr. Ramcharran said, noting that many patients had endured years of chronic pain and limited mobility before receiving surgery.
All 28 patients from last weekend’s exercise have since been discharged and are continuing their recovery at home under the supervision of GPHC’s post-operative care unit.
Hospital management commended the Orthopaedic Team for their “exceptional dedication, teamwork, and compassion,” acknowledging that their work has brought significant relief to dozens of Guyanese families.
The hospital’s leadership reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining these high-impact surgical interventions and further reducing the waiting list for joint replacements — part of a broader national strategy to enhance access to specialist healthcare and strengthen Guyana’s public medical system.