Health Minister visits 12-year-old Mahdia fire survivor in New York

…as team prepares for her return home

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony has visited the 12-year-old burn victim of the Mahdia fire tragedy who was flown to the United States for specialized treatment two months ago, and she has shown positive signs of recovery that will allow her to be home in a few weeks.
After the May 21 incident that claimed the lives of 20 students, the 12-year-old suffered severe burns to more than 40 per cent of her body. She was air dashed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), and soon after transferred to the United States to receive comprehensive burn care at Northwell Health’s Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH).
“The patient suffered second and third degree burns to approximately 40 per cent of her body…Her injuries required extensive skin graft surgeries, 24/7 pain management, physical therapy and counselling,” explained Director of the Regional Burn Center, Dr Michael Cooper.
Burns can be very complex injuries that require a slow healing process. The patient has begun to walk about 10 to 15 feet, but doctors would like to get her to around 40 before discharging her home, which will likely be in a few weeks.
Vice President of Northwell Health’s Center for Global Health, Dr Eric Cioe Peña, expressed, “To see her smile is emotional. The physical recovery is the first part, but the psychological recovery is so important and can be even harder with emotional scars…This child’s recovery is a sign of hope for Guyana and, God willing, will help the healing process for the country.”
Dr Anthony visited the patient alongside her care team to discuss her ongoing treatment and prognosis.
In preparation for her return to Guyana, the team discussed the next steps in transition of care and their commitment to making the integration as seamless as possible between the two institutions.
“We had a national tragedy, but I was glad to see her today. When she left Guyana, she was unconscious, and today she is smiling. Over the last couple of weeks, she has made significant progress…I am grateful to the staff at Northwell for the care, experience and expertise they have put in to make sure she is getting the best outcome. We’re excited to bring her home,” the Minister voiced.
On May 27, the critically injured teen was picked up by the Global Rescue Ambulance via the Air Ambulance at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and taken to the Northwell facility – which waived all costs for medical care.
While at GPHC, she underwent two surgeries, and her condition, though critical, improved steadily. She was the only victim to be taken out of the country to seek further care.
The fire that engulfed the Mahdia Secondary School girls’ dormitory in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) has claimed the lives of 19 of her friends and a five-year-old boy.
Following Police investigations, a 15-year-old student was charged for murder and remanded at the Juvenile Holding Centre.
A Commission of Inquiry (CoI) will be sworn in this week to probe the circumstances of the Mahdia tragedy. (G12)