Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has successfully concluded its second collaboration with World Pediatrics, an international non-governmental organization, to provide specialized scoliosis surgeries for young patients in Guyana. This medical mission, held from November 4-8, 2024, brought life-changing corrective surgeries to 10 patients aged 13 to 19.
The mission was led by a team of 10 highly specialized medical professionals from esteemed institutions in the United States. Building on the success of last year’s inaugural partnership, which treated eight young patients, this year’s initiative further underscored the importance of international collaboration in advancing healthcare in Guyana. Over the course of five days, the visiting experts worked in close partnership with GPHC’s local medical staff, ensuring the safe and successful completion of all procedures.
The World Pediatrics team included prominent specialists such as Dr. Matthew Cage, a spine surgeon from Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii; Dr. Daniel Cherian, a spine surgeon from Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Texas; and Dr. Ashley Soppe, an anesthesiologist also from Tripler Army Medical Center. The team was further supported by surgical technologists, nurses, neuro-physicists, and representatives from medical technology companies, all of whom played vital roles in the mission’s success.
Dr. Hyder Khan, Orthopedic Consultant at GPHC, highlighted the significance of the initiative, stating, “We are proud to partner once again with World Pediatrics and are incredibly grateful for the expertise and dedication brought by their team. This initiative underscores our commitment to delivering specialized care that transforms lives and to continuously improving the quality of healthcare for all our patients.”
In addition to providing transformative surgeries, the collaboration served as a platform for knowledge sharing and hands-on training, enabling GPHC’s medical team to gain valuable experience in complex procedures. This aligns with the hospital’s broader goal of enhancing its capacity to deliver specialized care.
The success of this initiative reflects GPHC’s dedication to fostering partnerships that improve patient outcomes and build local medical expertise. By collaborating with organizations like World Pediatrics, GPHC continues to expand access to advanced medical care for patients in Guyana, setting a new standard for healthcare in the region.
