GPHC successfully concludes 2nd Pediatric Cardiac Mission for 2024

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has successfully completed its second Pediatric Cardiac Mission of 2024, marking a significant milestone in its partnership with Gift of Life International (GOLI). The mission, which concluded with the discharge of the final two patients who underwent life-saving open-heart surgeries, represents another achievement in the hospital’s ongoing efforts to provide critical care to children in Guyana.
The mission commenced on August 3rd with a comprehensive screening clinic, where patients were carefully selected based on their medical needs. Priority was given to those in the most urgent need of surgical intervention, while also ensuring that each candidate was healthy enough to undergo surgery without complications.
Following the clinic, eight patients, ranging in age from 1 to 17 years, were chosen to receive the surgeries. GPHC is pleased to report that all eight procedures were successful, and each patient has since been discharged and is now recovering at home. These patients will continue to receive follow-up care at GPHC to ensure their continued recovery.
The success of this mission was made possible through the collaborative efforts of an international team from GOLI, which included surgeons, anaesthetists, perfusionists, intensivists, respiratory therapists, and operating room and intensive care nurses. This team worked closely with GPHC’s dedicated local medical staff, demonstrating a holistic approach that involved multiple departments within the hospital to ensure the preparation, care, and recovery of the young patients.
In addition to the successful surgeries, the mission also focused on training and educating GPHC’s local medical team. This capacity-building effort is designed to ensure that sustainable, high-quality care continues to be available for paediatric patients in Guyana.
Looking ahead, GPHC has announced plans for a third Pediatric Cardiac Mission, scheduled for December 2024. This upcoming mission will continue the hospital’s commitment to providing life-saving care to the children of Guyana.