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Complicated eye surgery to be undertaken here by early 2009
Patients suffering from complicated eye problems may soon be able to have restorative surgeries done right here in Guyana, from as early as the first quarter of next year.
Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsarran, yesterday told a press conference at Ramphal House, New Garden Street, that the development is dependent on efforts to get the Eye Care Centre at Port Mourant, Berbice, up and running.
The construction of the facility comes as part of the collaboration between the Cuban and Guyanese Governments in an effort to improve the delivery of health care locally.
According to Dr Ramsarran, some 40 Cuban doctors, nurses and technicians will man the facility over the next five years until Guyana is ready to fully take over its operation.
Living quarters, he said, are currently being set up at Port Mourant to accommodate the medical professionals during their extended stay here.
The minister noted that, in addition to those health professionals who will be placed at the Port Mourant Centre, Bio-Medical Engineers will be stationed there, as well as at the four diagnostic centres at Suddie, Leonora, Diamond and Mahaicony.
These people will help train staffers to properly use the modern equipment that will be installed.
But, according to Minister Ramsarran, the ministry has been repeatedly disappointed with the delivery of the construction process of the eye care centre.
He noted, though, that while there have been difficulties with the civil works, reports are that they have finally been completed.
“We are going to be inspecting it with a joint team from the Cuban Embassy, the Ministry of Health, and a team that is here will be visiting, too, along with representatives from the contractor. We will have to thoroughly clean the facility of all cement dust and other debris before we bring in the expensive and sensitive laser equipment and microscopes. When we do move them into the facility, they will not be exposed to any contaminants that could damage them or compromise their longevity.”
According to Minister Ramsarran, once the cleaning at the facility is completed, it is expected that the Cuban Charge d’Affaires, Mr Pedro Arteaga, will advise the Cuban Government to dispatch the ophthalmology equipment to Guyana. Cuba will give to Guyana the equipment free of cost, and will also stand the shipping expenses.
“Some of the equipment will be hung from the ceiling. Pieces are as heavy as 1,900 kilogrammes. Some of the laser equipment are very sensitive and expensive, and we have waited a long time to have Port Mourant up and running. We do not mind waiting a few more weeks, as long as we get it right and we bring our equipment in ideal conditions.”
According to the Charge d’Affaires, he is hoping to send a message to Cuba as early as today to have the equipment shipped, since all preliminary indications suggest that the building is ready.
He noted that two Cuban engineers are already here to install the equipment, and he added that any additional help required will be sent from Cuba.
The minister, along with the Permanent Secretary of the Health Ministry, Mr Hydar Ally, will be meeting with the contractor of the facility, Kishan Bacchus Construction Company, and Noel James Consultancy Company, to make a desktop evaluation.
The minister said that top level surgeons who will be tasked with manning the facility over the next few years will be screening patients who will be sent to Cuba as part of the Mission Miracle programme, which will continue until Port Mourant has been set up.
Minister within the Health Ministry, Dr Bheri Ramsarran
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