The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) is currently hosting the Health and Education Relief Organisation (HERO) team once again, reinforcing a long-standing and impactful collaboration focused on the management of complex orthopaedic cases.
The visiting team, comprised of Dr. Wayne Bazil, President of HERO, along with Dr. Rory Lewis, Dr. Ronald Chase, Dr. Claude Scott, Dr. Brody Dawkins, and Dr. Shanay Fischer, arrived last Friday and quickly began clinical consultations over the weekend. Working closely with GPHC’s orthopaedic team, they assessed patients and prepared for a week of intensive surgical interventions.
Between March 16 and 22, the joint team set out to complete a total of 38 adult and paediatric orthopaedic surgeries. These procedures addressed a range of conditions that significantly impact mobility, function, and overall quality of life. For many patients, these surgeries represent not only relief from pain, but also the opportunity to regain independence and return to daily activities.
Following the acquisition of arthroscopic technology in September 2025, GPHC has significantly strengthened its ability to provide minimally invasive orthopaedic procedures locally. This advancement reduces the need for overseas treatment, shortens recovery time, and improves patient outcomes.
During this mission, patients benefited from specialized procedures including anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions, clubfoot repairs, meniscal repairs, and labral tear surgeries, many of which were performed using these minimally invasive techniques.
Beyond surgical care, the collaboration also provided an important opportunity for knowledge sharing and hands-on training. Local medical professionals were able to engage directly with the visiting specialists, gaining exposure to advanced techniques and best practices that will continue to enhance orthopaedic care at GPHC long after the mission concludes.
HERO, a U.S.-based non-profit organisation founded by Guyanese physicians in the diaspora, is driven by a shared commitment to giving back to their homeland. Through its biannual missions, typically conducted in March and August, the organisation delivers critical surgical services while also supporting education, mentorship, and capacity building within the local healthcare system.
Since 2007, the HERO team has facilitated hundreds of life-changing surgeries for patients across Guyana, many of whom would not have otherwise had access to such specialized care.
Both GPHC and the HERO team remain steadfast in their shared vision of strengthening healthcare delivery, advancing surgical expertise, and improving the quality of life for patients throughout Guyana.
(Ministry of Health-Guyana)
