IN a groundbreaking collaboration aimed at enhancing healthcare accessibility, the Ministry of Health joined forces with the International Female-Led Team to conduct over 50 knee joint replacement surgeries at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) under the auspices of Women Orthopaedic Global Outreach (WOGO).

WOGO, the female division of Operation Walk, an international medical and surgical team of 72 personnel, including 10 female orthopaedic surgeons, performed 62 joint replacement surgeries on 50 patients. The marathon of surgeries began on Friday evening and concluded successfully over the course of Monday.

Each of the 62 surgeries was executed with precision and without mishaps, marking a significant milestone for both the patients and the medical team. Post-surgery, patients were admitted to the ward, where they received attentive care from the local nursing team. The surgeons maintained daily oversight to ensure a thorough postoperative recovery process.

At a press conference held at the GPHC Resource Centre on Wednesday morning, Dr. Kaaleshwar Ramcharran, a surgeon at GPHC, highlighted the significance of this medical mission.

He emphasised the tremendous improvement in joint replacement surgeries at the hospital, attributing it to the support from the WOGO team.

Dr. Ramcharran shared, “Our WOGO friends… eliminated 50 of those patients’ replacements by conducting surgeries on 62 joints, which is the most being done in one weekend for the team as well as for us. This number of joints actually takes us almost a year to get done, based on our limitations in terms of operation room space and time.”

Notably, the mission featured 10 female surgeons, with five local women doctors participating, showcasing a unique and empowering aspect of this healthcare initiative.

Explaining the impact on patients, Dr. Ramcharran outlined, “The cost of a revision surgery is between $1.5 and $1.8 million per joint. The government of Guyana has made joint surgeries completely free for both primary and revision joints. Our patients can now be prepared, and they do not have to wait on finance.”

Dr. Ramcharran, overseeing the joint replacement programme, highlighted the ongoing efforts to address a backlog of patients.

He mentioned a database with 779 patients and the potential to expedite surgeries with the completion of new hospitals across the country.

Dr. Navindranauth Rambaran, acting CEO of GPHC and Director of Medical & Professional Services expressed gratitude to the WOGO team on behalf of the government, Ministry of Health, and GPHC staff.

Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Health, had earlier commended the WOGO team’s coordination and dedication, emphasising their flawless execution of surgeries.

Dr. Linda Suleiman, one of the surgeons from Operation Walk, reiterated the mission’s goal to complete scheduled surgeries and provide comprehensive post-operative care.

The multinational alliance showcased the power of global knowledge combined with regional medical capabilities, demonstrating the positive impact qualified professionals can make when working together for the community’s benefit.

As Operation Walk continues its mission through Monday, it stands as a beacon of hope, illustrating the transformative potential of collaborative healthcare initiatives. Only five patients remain in the ward, with the majority having been discharged to continue their recovery at home. They are supported by ongoing physiotherapy services provided by GPHC.