Latest update November 5th, 2024 1:00 AM
Guyana Watch Medical Outreach a Resounding Success
– 26 children identified for heart surgery
The Guyana Watch Medical Outreach team that arrived in Guyana late last month has had a truly successful visit according to President of the Organization, Mr. Tony Yassin.
The team of 13 doctors, their families and a number of support staff members, had touched down on Friday, July 23, 2010 and soon after they were off to set up their first clinic at the Shaheed Boys’ Orphanage in Kitty. The next few days passed for the doctors in a blur, as they set up six more clinics across the country, traveling to a different location each day.
Mr. Tony Yassin
In that time the team saw over 3300 patients as they went about their work. According to Mr. Yassin, the clinics were all well attended and they were very pleased at the turn out. He noted that there was an overwhelming number of patients to see the dentist each day, enough that the organisation is planning to bring at least another two dentists on their next visit to Guyana. The patients took advantage of the presence of the dentists to have extractions, fillings and to a lesser extent some cleaning.
Aside from the usual patients in each community, arrangements were made to see the children from neighbouring orphanages to each clinic site. In total, the team saw children from over 14 orphanages across the country. The children were examined by the doctors and those who needed it were allowed to see the dentist as well. They received medical attention for any ailments that they might have, prescription medicine and fungal creams for any skin infections.
According to Mr. Yassin, one of the principle aims of the outreach is to find the children in need of heart surgery but whose families are unable to afford it. The organisation then seeks to give these children this opportunity to have the surgeries that they need and thereafter the possibility of a normal healthy life.
Mr. Yassin noted that of almost 50 children whose heart problems were evaluated, there were at least 26 who had been identified as needing surgery as soon as possible.
The patient numbers at the Guyana Watch 2010 Clinics
The Pediatric Cardiologist, who accompanied the team for the first time this year, Dr. Henry Issenberg, did preliminary examinations and diagnoses on the children with the assistance of Mr. Jason Solomon at the Caribbean Heart Institute.
The children will be further evaluated at the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in New York at the West Chester Medical Center and at other hospitals as the need arises. Those children whose cases are most urgent will be worked on first, while the others will be taken care of during the remainder of the year and perhaps into 2011.
Mr. Yassin also wished to take the opportunity to thank all of the companies, individuals and government agencies which assisted in promoting the clinics, provided transportation, lunches and dinners.
He noted that their efforts were truly appreciated by Guyana Watch and the entire medical team. Mr. Yassin wanted to thank all of the people who went out of their way to make the clinics a success and these included Makesh, Ramkishun, Tomesh Jagmohan, Showdat Alli, Manoj Narine, Buddy Shivraj, Andy Rambharose, Mr. Khalil Ullah and Mr. Moonsammy of GSL.
He also wanted to thank Dr. Shanti Singh for co-ordinating the orphanage visits and the Volunteer Counseling and Testing (HIV/AIDS) set-ups at each clinic site.
Mr. Yassin also noted that he is grateful to Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud; Jeff DaSilva, CEO of GOINVEST and Mr. Mohammed Sattaur, the CEO of NCN as well as Drs. Jean and Lee of the Dental School, for their assistance to the outreach effort. The Ministry of Education also received the organisation’s gratitude for granting Guyana Watch the use of their school facilities to conduct the clinics.
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