Breast cancer survivors undergo reconstructive surgery at GPHC

Nine patients in Guyana have successfully undergone breast and chest wall reconstruction surgeries at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), marking a major milestone for the country’s health system.
Conducted between last Friday and Monday, the surgeries were part of a collaborative effort involving GPHC, the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS), and the Caribbean Association of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeons (CAPRAS).
Speaking during a press conference on Tuesday, GPHC’s Chief Executive Officer Robbie Rambarran said that this opportunity has fostered training capacity for local medical personnel.

“This is really a training capacity building as well, so that we can develop the necessary skill set that is needed for the continuity and the sustainability of these services at Georgetown hospital and the team that is being led, I must say this, that they are here on their own expenses, and we were truly, we are truly grateful for those services.”
He added that the health officials undertaking these surgeries must be highly commended due to the fact of how far they traveled to commit to these missions.
“They travel hundreds of thousands of miles across seas to get here, leaving their families behind, and they come at their own expenses and do these missions and collaborations. And sometimes we have to be very appreciative of those, or we must acknowledge the sacrifices they have made personally to help us with these, with these surgeries.”
One of these surgeries would cost approximately £30,000 and is very expensive across the Caribbean as well.
On that note, Shalindra Rajkumar, head of the Department of General Surgery, revealed the complexities of conducting the surgeries.
“So for the child (that did the surgery) we actually took skin from her thigh and brought it to her face along with bone. We actually took blood vessels that are about 3 millimeters (mm) in diameter. that is why we had to use a microscope to do this operation and this was stitched together with sutures that are finer than your hair. so it was a high level of skill, dexterity, and patience to get these things happening.”
Dr Rajkumar added, “The significant thing about these surgeries… three of our patients, had what’s called microvascular transfers. So we actually took blood vessels, veins, and arteries that are about three millimeters in diameter.”
He added that some of the processes were really hard to undertake as well.
“So, it was high level of skill, dexterity, patience to get these things happening and then two of our breast patients, we actually took the skin from the lower abdomen with a similar vessel caliber, which is about three millimeters in diameter, and brought it up to the breast. And then we took the artery and vein in the breast and we put them together. So, putting one of these together, it takes about an hour, hour and a half.”
Further, he said that all of this must be done with a microscope, making it a very meticulous process.
“This is done under a microscope, very small movements, very special instruments, very unique and special sutures, which we didn’t even have. And the team had to bring those sutures to help us out with. But that’s why this mission is special, because these things don’t happen every day. We were having a discussion and the volume of work that we did over this weekend, I don’t think any hospital in the Caribbean does it in a year. So that is the impact this has on us. It’s not something we’re going to do soon.”
Meanwhile, Ramrattie Conhaye, a breast cancer survivor who underwent reconstruction surgery on her breast, expressed her satisfaction with the process.
“I was diagnosed since 2001 and I did surgery and in 2003 I did chemo, 8 cycles, 32 radiation and I feel like my life was done because I have no breast…I did the breast reconstruction surgery and I so happy because I could go any way and I must thank the team and the doctors.”
Another patient, Leona Walton-Barton, shared similar sentiments.
“I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020… I was feeling like a vehicle with one of my tires deflated, so when this opportunity came, I said, ‘good, I will get myself balanced,’ and that is very good. I thank you guys much for the opportunity and I trust that it will continue and give everyone a chance.”
GPHC extended its deepest gratitude to BAPRAS, CAPRAS, and their corporate partners who donated equipment and supplies to support the programme. Special thanks were given to the local staff who worked tirelessly over the weekend to support the mission. The hospital looks forward to future collaborations that will continue to improve access to advanced medical care for the people of Guyana. (G2)