The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), through its international partnerships and advanced training for health practitioners, with Mount Sinai, McMaster University and Northwell Health, and Operation Walk, among others, has reaped success in 2023.
Additionally, Guyana was able to successfully facilitate 17 surgical missions, that played a pivotal role is clearing the backlog for specialised surgeries.
This is according to GPHC’s Head of Surgery, Dr David Samaroo, who disclosed last week that the public hospital was able to successfully execute some 12,495 surgeries this year.
A total of 876 elective surgeries were executed, 587 minor surgeries, 845 emergencies surgeries and 56 hernias.
Procedures ranged from complex spine, plastic, vaginal, skin, neurological, ligament reconstruction and joint replacement surgeries.
Meanwhile, the Orthopaedics Department provide care to a total of 2550 new patients and 9356 revisiting patients this year.
During his remarks to those present at GPHC’s End of Year Press Conference, Dr Samaroo explained that the figure aforementioned represents a ten per cent increase in surgeries, when compared to the corresponding period last year.
He attributed the success to the many collaborations facilitated by Government, the development of strong clinical teams, hiring of skilled specialists, modification and improved infrastructure and adoption of more efficient processes and patient pathways.
“We were able to, over the years, achieve a new CT scan machine here at the hospital and having a CT scan allowed us to study the fractures personally, and as we understand the characteristics of these fractures, surgeons were able to train themselves, gear themselves to treat these complex problems,” Dr Samaroo explained.
Meanwhile, Head of General Surgery Dr Shilindra Rajkumar explained that while GPHC recorded an increase in surgeries, many procedures were avoided this year following the procurement of gold standard machinery for the department.
He disclosed that due to this, many neurological procedures were conducted swiftly without the need to open the skull or spine of patients.
“Not a single case of renal stone had to be operated on in 2023. It was all done minimally invasive and this is the accepted international standard. So, in terms of stone treatment at GPHC, we’ve gotten there. ENT – ear, noses and throat, they’ve acquired a nasal endoscope and with the assistance of neuro surgery they were able to drain and intracranial opus through the nostril. Therefore, avoiding any incisions in the skin or through the skull,” Dr Rajkumar stated.
Further, Dr Rajkumar explained that the provisions have reduced the waiting time for surgeries across the board, noting that most procedures are now being conducted within 7 days instead of 37 days.
Notably, diagnosis capabilities also improved following the employment of skilled pathologist, radiologist, lab technicians and trauma response physicians, among others.
