Our Frontline Worker of the Week is… Dr. Gavinash Persaud

Jun 21, 2020 News

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By Sharmain Grainger

There is always something especially intriguing about a man who wears his manhood with such precision that, by virtue of his presence, even problems are handled with ease or, better yet, averted altogether. When this essence of virility extends across the spectrum of a man’s existence indeed it is something fascinating to behold.
On this day when men are being honoured for their fathering ways, we introduce a man who encapsulates the true essence of manhood and this isn’t merely because he plays, quite well, the role of a father, but he is among the ranks on the frontline helping to keep at bay COVID-19, a disease with fatal intent, that we have all become well acquainted with over the past few months.

Dr. Gavinash Persaud, a fine son of the soil, makes no bones about the importance of his work on the frontline, and in fact quipped, quite matter-of-factly, “I never saw COVID as a threat…my training has taught me to deliver in-spite of the circumstances.”
Employed at the country’s premier public health institution, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation [GPHC], Dr. Persaud, since March, has had the mammoth task of supervising the COVID-19 Surveillance Department at the GPHC which carries out tasks such as screening and triage. In essence, he leads a team which must first assess patients who present with symptoms of the disease and, in his opinion, the response of this department in the face of the pandemic can be likened to “taking the bull by the horns”.
But with quite a few years of experience as a medical doctor, complemented by some as a Regional Health Officer [RHO], he has certainly been able to take on COVID-19 without skipping a beat in much the way seasoned champions do. In retrospect though, Dr. Persaud noted that tactical moves like “networking” can go a long when responding to threats such as COVID-19. “You must know the right people to go to…as such, we need each other for our existence and well-being, hence, we must be tolerant and kind to each other.”
While his medical training would have positioned him for what he does daily on the frontline, dedication and resilience are perhaps his greatest assets which were instilled in him since he was just a boy.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
The first of four children born to parents, Deodat and Kamella Persaud, on February 26, 1979, Dr. Persaud grew up at Johanna Cecelia on the Essequibo Coast. His father, now retired, was an ardent and successful trader for several years, while his mother, “she has been a house engineer aka housewife,” Dr. Persaud joked.
His parents always had their children’s best interest at heart. Moreover, he had a sound primary education at the Suddie Primary School from 1985 -1990 and went on to Abram’s Zuil Secondary right after, up until 1995.

Both schools are located on the Essequibo Coast.
Drifting off into memories past, he recalled many fun-filled days playing bumper ball cricket on the beaches of Johanna Cecelia and Zorg Village. But according to Dr. Persaud, “sadly, no beach is there anymore as they have eroded due to the rising water level.”
But it wasn’t all play and no work even though there were many days he’d rather just surrender to the exuberances of boyhoodness. In fact, he intimated “ever since I was a kid in primary school, I wanted to study medicine. I had a strong liking for the sciences, and it was never a problem getting good grades in those subjects that would propel me onto the path of medicine.”
After landing a scholarship to study medicine in Cuba and then completing his internship at the GPHC, Dr. Persaud was sent to the Bartica District Hospital in Region Seven. There he remained for about two and a half years before being reassigned to Region Five where he functioned as RHO for an identical period.
“After this stint in Region Five, I worked in the Accident and Emergency Room of the GPHC,” said Dr. Persaud who also spent some time working in the private sector.
Later he became a successful applicant of a Chevening scholarship, which allowed him, in 2018, to complete a Master of Science in Diabetes Best Practice from the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom. “Upon my return, I secured employment with the GPHC and was stationed at Industry Health Centre until COVID-19 surveillance became necessary at GPHC,” he shared.

REFLECTIONS
As he considered the journey to being on the frontline today at the GPHC, Dr. Persaud in reflection mode said, “My profession has allowed me to render medical care to a wide cross-section of the Guyanese population. It has helped me to understand conditions: medical, social, psychological, financial, etc., all of which are relevant when delivering medical care to persons living with certain illnesses.”
He expressed in no uncertain terms too that “My training and experience has also afforded me skills: medical, interpersonal, budgetary, networking, management and planning which places me in a privileged position to deliver positive results no matter the circumstances.”
But even though teeming with knowledge and expertise suitable for even a first world health care system, a patriotic Dr. Persaud has long recognised that this dear land needs him more than any other could. Also, he confided, places like North American could never be his home since “I cannot tolerate cold and I am not prepared to incorporate myself into other people’s culture and habits. I particularly love our food and drinks and everything about Guyana.”
What makes this doctor particularly outstanding too, like a few others in our thriving health care system, is the fact that he fully embraces the former US President, John F. Kennedy’s coined maxim “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
In asking this, the answer became clear to Dr. Persaud. “We have a large diabetic population that needs my skills and enthusiasm for diabetic care and therefore I can make a huge difference to the lives of people living with diabetes in Guyana.”
In providing patients with the best possible care, he found that there was need, to not only ensure that his staffers are comfortable, but that his department, at all times, had what was required for it to function optimally. It is such crucial traits Dr. Persaud has taken with him to be a key player in the national response against COVID-19.
RESILIENCE
Important to this cause too, is the need for him to remain on top of his game. As such, staying healthy isn’t something he merely preaches to his patients but rather a way of life. Moreover, for this Tuschen New Scheme, East Bank Essequibo resident, the day begins at 5am with a 2 km run. “I take physical activity seriously… I firmly believe that a healthy body generates a healthy mind. I run about 25 km each week (including) afternoon runs.” He also does resistance training as part of keeping fit and healthy.
With a healthy mind and body, Dr. Persaud is able to utilise his time wisely, and timing for him must be almost impeccable if he is to navigate the morning traffic and evade usual congestion at the western end of the Demerara Harbour Bridge in order to make it to work on time.
What is interesting to note though, is that after decontaminating away possible infiltration after a hard day’s work, Dr. Persaud is able to effortlessly step into his other roles of being a husband to Althea Gibson-Persaud and a father to their daughter Emily. Emily is in fact celebrating her sixth birthday today and, indeed, the Persauds’ household has much to celebrate today.
“I try to be at home as much as I can,” said Dr. Persaud. “Though I must work hard since we have serious ‘future’ plans…COVID has restricted our movements but when it’s over I will take the family on a trip somewhere, the wife decides,” said this unapologetic family man who still finds time to indulge in a bit of reading every chance he gets. “I am a big fan of OSHO, Jiddu Krishnamurti and Henry Thomas Hamblin,” said Dr. Persaud who has over the years been able to fashion his thinking and actions into becoming the epitome of a manly man.

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