I stand by my assertion GPHC isn’t ready for cardiothoracic surgeries-Dr. Mark Devonish

Please permit me to provide a follow-up to the OpEd yesterday, “Exposing PPP medical disinformation,” for this follow up was motivated on reading an article in the Kaieteur News, titled, “Surgeon uses cow tissue to reconstruct man’s heart.” Where the surgeon in question is one Dr Gary Stevens, an overseas based Guyanese, who practices in America.

The fact is, the aforementioned article, championing Guyana’s first open heart surgery, initially miscommunicated the impression that the surgery was a recent development, when in actuality, it was undertaken since 22nd of June. However, this conflicts with a prior Kaieteur News’ headline which stated on the 6th of July, “GPHC says step closer to open-heart surgery.” For this headline would suggest that Dr Stephens surgery on the 22nd of June was not recorded, or considered, as Guyana’s first open-heart surgery. Thus, the questions; What motivated the change? Was it my letter which argued that GPHC is moons away from undertaking open-heart surgery?

Notwithstanding, I stand by my assertion that GPHC isn’t ready for cardiothoracic surgeries, evidenced by the frequent failings in basic healthcare. Failings that I needless enumerate, since they are well publicised in the media.

That said, Dr Stephens is not employed by the GPHC, albeit the Guyana Chronicle is touting him as a local doctor. Further, the professional medical team that supported Dr Stephens, e.g Perfusionist are not employed by GPHC. Furthermore, the preparation of the animal tissue for transplantation would’ve been undertaken outside of Guyana. Therefore, this is what we have—doctors, perfusionists and transplant team lending their skills to GPHC. This could hardly be celebrated as a Guyana team, achieving a Guyana first.

And for this reason, I will maintain my argument, that with GPHC having to depend on overseas based professionals to undertake open-heart surgery, evidence that they are not ready for such. As a result, my position stands; GPHC should focus on getting the basics right. Focus on providing good care for our pregnant mothers. Focus on providing good care for our babies. Focus on providing good to you for our elderly. Focus on providing good care for our diabetics. Focus on providing good care for our hypertensive. Focus on providing good care for patients with basic infections. All in all, sticking to the basics and getting the basics right before attempting to celebrate the complex.

Dr. Mark Devonish MBBS MSc MRCP(UK) FRCP(Edin) FRCP

Consultant Acute Medicine

Nottingham University