Georgetown: The Health and Education Relief Organization (H.E.R.O) medical team completed approximately 30 surgeries for patients with “club foot” and other lower extremity problems as opposed to the 45 surgeries slated for their one-week medical outreach.
This was revealed recently during press briefing at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Resource Centre. The H.E.R.O team includes four different surgeons including physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, medical students and college students who are on the medical team for exposure to the health care system. Representative of H.E.R.O, General/Trauma surgeon Dr. John Mitchell explained that the number of surgeries completed was less than planned due to various reasons that created a delay. However, he noted that the completion of the surgeries along with the interaction with the patients and physicians, can be considered a major accomplishment
“We also did two dedicated sessions with the members of the transplant team among other teams so that they can incorporate that in terms of evaluating patients who need have arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) dialysis,” Dr. Mitchell said.
It was highlighted that the organisation hopes to commence a reconstructive surgery programme for women with breast cancer. Chairperson of GPHC board Kesaundra Alves stressed that GPHC would welcome the reconstructive programme, whenever the team is ready.Alves noted that though, “H.E.R.O is a non-profit organisation, which is registered in the United States of America (USA)”, it has done tremendous work in Guyana since its launch.
The 40 plus H.E.R.O team members were categorised into five groups to focus on various areas during their stay, including the Linden team, who were tasked to handle basic medical outreaches. Meanwhile, a team was sent to GPHC to operate on patients with “club foot”, paediatric and other lower extremity problems.
The remaining teams will focus on children from Mocha and Providence Primary School between ages five (5) to twelve (12) for the literacy programme that will continue after the team’s departure. In addition, the team will also be assisting children living at Joshua House Children Centre in terms of understanding the needs of the children and the facility.
On Sunday, Minister within Ministry of Public Health Dr. Karen Cummings met with the H.E.R.O team at Project Dawn, Lillendall, East Coast, Demerara where she expressed her hope that the team’s visit promotes renewed primary healthcare in Guyan
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