– 16 heart procedures completed

THREE children remain hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) following a series of paediatric cardiac procedures performed as part of a Government initiative to expand access to specialised treatment for children with congenital heart defects.
Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, visited the recovering children at the hospital’s Paediatric High Dependency Unit, where he met with the patients and their families and received updates on their recovery.
The procedures were conducted between September 28 and October 2 by an 18-member specialist team from Apollo Hospitals in India, working alongside more than 50 local healthcare professionals at GPHC.
A total of 16 procedures were successfully completed, including 10 complex open-heart surgeries, three catheter-based device closures and three diagnostic catheterisations.
The procedures benefitted 13 children, with some patients undergoing catheterisation before their corrective surgery.
All 16 procedures were successfully completed, with 10 of the 13 patients subsequently discharged from the hospital. The three remaining patients continue to receive care and monitoring at GPHC.
During his visit, Anthony spent time with the children and their families, inquiring about their recovery and offering words of encouragement.
The initiative has also provided an opportunity for local medical professionals to work directly alongside international specialists, strengthening their experience and knowledge in paediatric cardiac care.
For the children and their families, the programme has provided access to specialised cardiac treatment without the need to travel overseas for care.
The collaboration forms part of ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Health to expand specialised healthcare services in Guyana through international partnerships while strengthening local expertise and increasing the range of services available at GPHC.