Qatar medical mission to conduct over 100 surgeries in Guyana

A specialised medical mission from Qatar is in Guyana to conduct more than 100 surgeries on both pediatric and adult patients over the next few days. The team will also assess the country’s health sector needs and train local doctors in specialised procedures.

All surgeries will be performed at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) between October 9 and 15.

“There are nine medical specialists as part of this team, there are pediatric interventional cardiologist, anesthesiologist, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatric urology specialist and a Cath lab technician,” Chief Executive Officer of GPHC, Robbie Rambarran said.

This week approximately 16 complex pediatric urology surgeries will be done along with 30 adult procedures including 12 complex gynecology cases.

Chargé d’Affaires at the Qatar Embassy in Georgetown, Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Ruhamihi, described the mission as the first step in strengthening humanitarian relations between Guyana and Qatar through the medical mission.

“It is worth noting that the medical team aims to perform more than 120 surgical procedures, including surgeries and consultations for children and women, particularly for heart disease and tumors in women, with specific surgical procedures and numerous medical consultations,” Al-Ruhamihi said.

He said Qatar has sent its best and most experienced doctors, representing Qatari medical institutions such as Hamad Medical Corporation and Sidra Medical and Research Corporation. The mission is being funded by the Qatar Fund for Development

Meanwhile, Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony emphasised the importance of knowledge transfer, explaining that the visiting doctors will work alongside local specialists to ensure that the skills and expertise gained during this mission remain within the country after the team departs.

“What we want to see happen during this mission is a transfer of knowledge, to build capacity for our local team so that when they leave, we can have persons with the expertise that can carry on such surgeries,” Dr. Anthony said.