Four-year-old undergoes first orthopaedic operation at Lethem Hospital

Sep 27, 2010 News

Orthopaedic operations are likely to become a regular feature at the new state-of-the-art Lethem Hospital, following a successful operation performed at the public facility on Saturday. Four-year-old Tiylina Cho-yee of Tabatinga in Central Rupununi was the sole patient who benefited from the expertise of Orthopaedic Surgeon Sawcett Jeffrey. Dr Jeffrey was among a team of six specialist doctors who are currently visiting the area at the request of the Ministry of Health, as part of efforts to ensure that there is equitable delivery of health care countrywide.
The Lethem Hospital was commissioned about one year ago but its Operation Theatre was non-functional up until a few weeks ago. Saturday’s operation on little Tiylina marks the first such operation to have been undertaken at the new facility, a procedure which lasted for just about one hour.

From left: Dr Sawcett Jeffrey, a nurse and Mr and Mrs Tyrel Cho-yee flank little Tiylina Cho-yee

The child’s parents, Mr and Mrs Tyrel Cho-yee, expressed much gratitude for the operation, which was performed on the child’s elbow and has served to rectify a near two-and-a-half year long deformity. It was revealed that the child had fallen from a bicycle and sustained an injury to her left elbow. The child’s arm was cast by a doctor at the existing hospital but was not fixed properly, which was evident by a bulging bone and the fact that she remained in constant pain. Over the past two years Tiylina had to visit the hospital on a regular basis due to the discomfort she was forced to endure.
However, having gained the attention of Dr Jeffrey, a bone specialist for many years, it was discovered that the child’s condition could be rectified. And the Lethem Hospital’s theatre has been considered one of the better theatres in Guyana by Dr Jeffrey who revealed that not only was the operating room spacious but is well equipped with the necessary equipment.
The visiting medical team has also been undertaking other medical procedures for ailing residents.