Chinese Doctors pilot new technologies during stint in Guyana
─ 14th Chinese Brigade wraps up one-year tenure
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, July 11, 2019
At least three new technologies were piloted in Guyana by specialists of the 14th Chinese Medical Brigade. This 16-member team has just concluded a one-year stint at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC). since June 2018.
The three technologies introduced were all surgical procedures. The first which is a nerve block to treat advanced pancreatic cancer was successfully performed by a General Surgeon. An Orthopedic Surgeon from the brigade performed the first posterior tibial plateau fracture surgery through the knee medial posterior approach while an Anesthesiologist performed the first combined spinal and sciatic nerve block.
This was noted by the team leader of the 14th Brigade, Dr. Shen Jiansong who said these pilots when adopted are critical procedures which can be practised at the nation’s only tertiary healthcare institute. Also, he outlined that the GPHC is also a training institution which makes it an opportune time for these techniques to be taught.
These were some of forty technologies which were piloted right here in Guyana with local surgeons and other medical staff benefitting and gaining insight from the expertise of the Chinese.
According to their submitted report, over the one-year period, the medical brigade performed 28,600 rounds, attended to 16,440 outpatients, administered acupuncture 1140 times, anaesthesia 1210 times and conducted 3920 (specialised and general) surgeries.
Further, in December 2019, the brigade donated more than $34Million worth in medical equipment to GPHC and LHC. Added to this, about 20 outreaches were conducted at Kwakwani, St. Cuthbert’s Mission, Mc Kenzie High School and New Amsterdam. Volunteerism was also a major part of their stint while in Guyana.
The Ministry of Public Health hosted a farewell dinner at the New Thriving Restaurant at Providence in the brigade’s honour.
Appreciation was extended to the team for their outstanding effort to bring quality healthcare to citizens in Guyana. More specifically the ministry has taken note of the brigade’s interface with youth and adolescent health. They have also played a pivotal role in responding to cases coming from the Guyana Manganese Company in Matthew’s Ridge earlier in the year.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Public Health, Chairperson of the hospital’s board of Directors, Kessaundra Alves noted that, “According to feedback from the head of the department with regard to the performance of the 14th batch, the contributions of the team were outstanding in each area of work even though there were challenges be it with language, culture or otherwise members of the team were still able to find a common ground and provide quality healthcare to all patients.”
As this team leaves the Public Health Ministry welcomed the incoming 15th medical brigade. Gifts were presented to the Chinese doctors as the ministry wished them their very best in all their future endeavours.