Latest update April 8th, 2025 7:13 AM
GPHC pediatric heart surgeries to begin this week
In January 2015, Dr. Rodrigo Soto of the Baby Heart Foundation approached the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation with big plans; his dream was to provide cost-efficient surgeries to children suffering from heart diseases.
Three months later, Dr. Soto’s dream of seeing children and their parents benefit from surgeries for heart diseases right in their home country is being realized.
For the next few weeks, an 18-member team will be performing surgeries, right at the GPHC.
During a recent press briefing, Health Minister Bheri Ramsaran deemed the undertaking “a small but powerful event”.
He added that the initiative was “one big step forward” and had been in the making for some time.
According to Ramsaran, the Baby Heart Foundation has been doing great things across the world for children. He said too that Guyana was fortunate to have established a partnership with the Foundation and he gave his Ministry’s commitment of maximum support.
(Left to right) CEO of GPHC Michael Khan, Minister of Health Bheri Ramsaran, CEO of Baby Heart Foundation Dr. Rodrigo Soto, Guyana Pediatric Cardiology Steering Committee member Dr. Debra Isaac, and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Shamdeo Persaud
Ramsaran further said that the collaboration with the Foundation will address issues that had previously been challenging, including the funding for overseas surgeries.
“This initiative will see us addressing our challenges and we’ll able to manage everything right here. This is a good day for Guyana,” Ramsaran asserted.
He added, “Practically, all of this is pro bono…this will make a significant impact on a small and relatively poor country like ours.”
Dr. Soto explained that overseas surgeries cost about US$6,000 and he emphasised that cost-efficient surgeries were not only beneficial to parents but also the country’s healthcare system.
He further said that planning the surgeries in such a short period of time had been “a huge undertaking” but he was pleased by the outcome. He emphasised that once a complex system is developed, the experience gained by locally trained physicians will not only benefit persons with congenital heart diseases but the entire Guyanese population.
He further expressed hope that more locally-based operations will be conducted and in turn boost Guyana’s sustainability in the field.
Similarly, Dr. Debra Isaac of the Guyana Pediatric Cardiology Steering Committee, indicated that the time will eventually come when Guyanese doctors are able to perform pediatric heart surgeries locally and build a self-sustainable programme.
Over the next few weeks, a number of children will be screened and evaluated by the team to determine which will be selected for surgery. About 18 surgeries are expected to be conducted. Dr. Isaac said that those who are undergoing evaluation are from six months to 21 years old. These persons come from all across Guyana, including Wales, Linden and Santa Mission.
According to Ramsaran, much of the equipment had been presented by the Baby Heart Foundation. Furthermore, the hospital is working along with the national blood bank to provide adequate blood needed for the surgeries.
The Baby Heart Foundation is a non-profit organisation that has been around for about seven years. The foundation has already worked with more than 7,500 children in 32 countries.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
AI machines at the gate
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News-The call center was once the second chance for the school-leaver who never got past CXC.... more
The U.S. “Joining” the Commonwealth: an unreasonable expectation
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- Recent media stories have suggested that King Charles III could “invite” the United... more
Weekend Cartoon
