Sixty-six-year-old Denecia Abrams of Fitzburg, Port Kaituma (Region One) is recovering well following a successful hernia surgery at the Port Kaituma District Hospital.
Abrams, who suffered from the condition for 22 years, expressed immense relief at finally receiving the operation free of cost right within her community.
The procedure was made possible by a government-led medical outreach bringing specialised care directly to residents within the Matarkai and Mabaruma districts.
“I had a hernia surgery last night and it was confirmed good and I am so happy with the government sending people to help us in our community,” Abrams told the Department of Public Information (DPI).
She added, “I feel so grateful because we don’t have money to go to Georgetown or nowhere else… so, I am glad it happened to our community, because this is development in our community for having these people to come in from so far to give us surgery and I’m so grateful of it.”
Abrams was among 24 patients selected to undergo major surgeries at the newly commissioned Operating Theatre at the Port kaituma Hospital, as part of the medical outreach.
Some of the other procedures included; Cholecystectomy/gallbladder, ovarian cyst, ectopic pregnancy and granuloma.
Another beneficiary, Cyprian Sampson, 64, of Canal Bank, also share that he is pleased with the successful surgery, a cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal).
While commending the medical team for their hard work and dedication, Sampson explained that by having the operation done within his community, alleviated the burden of travelling to the coast for medical attention.
“If I had to go to Georgetown, that would have been a lot of money and stress on my family…. So, I give them a thumbs up for a great job,” Sampson stated.
Senior General Surgeon and Medical Superintendent of the Diamond Regional Hospital, Dr Sheik Amir is leading the medical team.
He highlighted the importance of such outreach, noting the challenges residents in hinterland communities are meted by.
“I totally support these outreaches, because I am aware of the difficulties most inhabitants of the hinterland face…” Dr Amir explained.
He also noted that having the patients remained within their communities’ aids in the overall success of the surgeries, because they are in a familiar territory and at a greater peace of mind.
Dr Amir further underscored that the outreach serves a dual purpose, noting that most of the Hinterland hospitals are staffed with general doctors and not specialist. Hence, it creates an environment to share ideas and best practices.
The medical outreach programme began in 2008 under the PPP/C Government, with surgical teams making quarterly visits to Bartica, Mabaruma and Lethem. During that time, the team was led by Dr Sheik Amir and Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr Fawcett Jeffrey.
However, the programme was discontinued in 2016 under the coalition Administration.
In keeping with the PPP/C government’s commitment to delivering quality healthcare to citizens nationwide, the medical outreach programme was revived in 2021 under the Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali-led Administration, with new expanded target areas including Moruca, Kamarang, Madhia and Aishalton.
The current medical outreach is being conducted from May 15 – 17. It forms part of the government’s broader push to modernise healthcare delivery across Guyana, reaching communities in every region, from the coastland to the hinterland.