‘Operation Walk’ performs 55 life-changing replacement surgeries

Operation Walk, a US non-profit medical organisation performed dozens of joint replacement surgeries in Guyana, restoring mobility to some 50 persons.

The 55 surgeries were done free of cost at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) between last Friday and Monday.

These patients were among some 2,000 persons who are awaiting the surgery and were chosen from each of the ten administrative regions.

A team of about 50 persons inclusive of seven surgeons arrived in Guyana last week to conduct the operations.

GPHC’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Robbie Rambarran during a press conference on Tuesday said the surgeries conducted will greatly assist with reducing the backlog for such operations.

“We are grateful because we do an average of two surgeries per week so having 50 patients benefiting it’s quite an achievement.”

“Other than the actual surgery and patients benefitting there was teaching and transferring of knowledge, capacity building and that will go a long way,” Rambarran said.

Further, he said that the cost per surgery is an estimated GY$2 million.

This is the third time that Operation Walk is visiting Guyana. Over the course of their visits, over 100 persons have received the much-needed joint replacement operations. Rambarran said it is their hope that this type of service can be expanded to regions outside of Guyana. Making access to the service much easier.

In addition, the Medical Director of Operation Walk, Dr Paul Khanuja said the collaboration has helped to improve the lives of several persons, proving that the organisation is making strides in increasing medical services in countries that need it. A team from the organisation is also expected to return to Guyana within six months for follow ups on these surgeries.

“We have been very fortunate to have this collaboration with Georgetown Public Hospital. The impact we’ve made has just been a wonderful experience and opportunity for us to see how much the hospital is cable of doing,” Dr Khanuja said.

Two of the patients who are currently in recovery praised both the hospital and the foreign team for the medical assistance.

Merna Agard of Schoonord, West Bank Demerara, a former child athlete needed a joint replacement but could not afford to the operation.

Another patient, Donna Rajkumar of New Amsterdam in Region Six said tried many times to get an operation done but also said it was too costly.

Both women underwent double knee replacement surgeries.