A 10-member team from the World Paediatric Mission (WPP) has successfully performed seven scoliosis surgeries on two males and five females between the ages of 14 and 21.
The initiative was made possible through a collaboration between the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), the Office of the First Lady and the WPP; it was done free of cost.
Scoliosis is a sideways curve of the spine; the surgery is considered when the spinal curve is severe and causes pain or disability. The surgeries were conducted between Monday and Wednesday at the GPHC; all of the patients remain in hospital and are said to be recovering well.
At a press conference on Thursday, Chief Executive Officer of the GPHC Robbie Rambarran said that after the offer was advertised, about 30 persons came forward.
He said a screening process was applied and the seven beneficiaries were selected.
“We started this by placing an ad in the newspapers and asking persons who have been diagnosed previously with scoliosis and there was no avenue for any surgical or any treatment or intervention and persons came forward,” Rambarran said.
The intention is to have the project continue.
“Anything that brings relief to the people of Guyana in terms of healthcare and other needs, we are very passionate and committed to that process,” he said.
WPP is a non-profit organisation that started in 2001; they offer over 35 sub-specialties to youths up to the age of 21. This is their first such mission in over 20 years.
In his remarks, WPP Program Director, Sigmund Wiggins said the mission is pleased to have provided tertiary healthcare to the youths of Guyana.
“Our main goal is for each child who needs surgical intervention to be able to access surgical intervention at little to no cost…[age] 21 is generally our cut-off time but if the child is in the system and for whatever reason they are unable to access care, we will extend that until about [age] 23 where care can be given to them just to improve their life,” Wiggins said.
Each surgery lasts for two to three hours. The process entails an incision in the back, close to the spine. Screws and hooks are placed in the back to fixate the spine after which rods are used to straighten the spine.
During the process, blood loss can be a huge concern; following the surgery, patients are monitored for pain and recovery.
Twenty-one-year-old Mickella Walcott from Essequibo, Region Two is one of the seven patients.
Her mother, Glenis Walcott, who was present at the press conference said she was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of 16.
“We noticed the curve in her back. She start crying out for back pain. So we took her to Georgetown Hospital and she had a brace. They said let her do a lot of swimming. Now Mickella don’t know how to swim that much,” Glenis said.
But despite this, Glenis said she tried to encourage her daughter.
“We tried to cheer her up because it cut down on her mobility. She could not get to do a couple of stuff that she wanted to do. She loves dancing, some moves she could not have done. So we would try to encourage her that sometime, someday it will get better. But it worsened,” Glenis said.
At first, Glenis said she was skeptical, however, after consultation with doctors, she gained confidence and agreed to go ahead with the surgery.
“She’s looking forward to a time when she can be normal again and do the stuff that she could not get to do…She’s coming around nicely. She sit up this morning. She very chatty. I am very happy,” the mother rejoiced.
Mickella is expected to be discharged soon.
According to the Director of Medical and Professional Services at the Georgetown Public Hospital, Dr Navinranauth Rambaran, upon discharge, patients are subject to a three-month rehabilitation process.
This is to ensure that they regain their mobility to the full extent and are able to lead a normal life.
“Once discharged, they will be followed up regularly at our outpatient clinic,” he said.
The WPP team is slated to depart Guyana on Friday. However, with discussions currently ongoing with local authorities, they hope to return sometime to offer their services in different specialty areas.
