GPHC, Operation Walk Maryland conduct 57 joint replacement surgeries

– over 500 remain on list for replacements

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) in collaboration with Operation Walk Maryland USA conducted a total of 57 joint replacement surgeries on 53 patients between November 14 and 21, 2024. The surgeries were conducted by a team of over 50 specialised medical professionals.

The medical mission’s efforts this year took place over an intensive four-day period during which surgeries were performed on patients requiring knee and hip replacements.

Despite elective surgeries typically being scheduled on weekdays, GPHC implemented special arrangements to facilitate this extraordinary mission and optimise outcomes for our patients.
The visiting team included a diverse group of healthcare specialists such as surgeons, anesthesiologists, internal medicine specialists, nurses, technicians, and physiotherapists. Working alongside GPHC’s dedicated local staff, their efforts significantly addressed a critical surgical backlog.
To date, GPHC’s orthopaedic team has performed 109 joint replacement surgeries from January to November 2024, with this mission adding 57 more to that total.
As the only public facility in Guyana offering joint replacement surgeries, the medical facility continues to face an overwhelming demand for these life-changing procedures, with a current surgical waiting list of over 500 patients.
While joint replacement surgeries are essential for improving the quality of life for those suffering from advanced arthritis, non-surgical management such as therapy and medication remains the initial course of treatment for most patients. Surgery is typically reserved as the final step when these methods prove insufficient.
As the mission concludes, all 53 patients have been successfully discharged, with comprehensive post-operative care plans in place.
GPHC extends its heartfelt gratitude to Operation Walk Maryland for their unwavering support and dedication to improving lives since our initial collaboration in 2018. Further, it commended its medical team for their exceptional efforts in ensuring the success of this mission.