In Brief
- Thirteen children received free cardiac procedures at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC) from 2 to 4 November.
- Seven children, aged from 18 days to nine years, had complex surgery, while six had minimally invasive procedures.
- The programme was a collaboration between the North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA), Caribbean Heart Care and an international volunteer team from the United Kingdom and United States.
- The NCRHA says an 18-day-old girl’s need for additional surgery was promptly addressed, following recent media reports.
By Prior Beharry
Thirteen children received free, life-saving and corrective cardiac procedures at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC) from 2 to 4 November, through a partnership between the North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA) and Caribbean Heart Care.
The specialised paediatric cardiac programme brought together local medical professionals and an international volunteer team of cardiac specialists, whose visit was coordinated by Caribbean Heart Care.
Seven children, ranging in age from 18 days to nine years, underwent complex cardiac surgeries to correct serious congenital heart abnormalities which, if left untreated, could have resulted in premature death or significant lifelong disabilities. Another six children underwent minimally invasive corrective procedures in the EWMSC’s Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory.
Infant’s case
Among the patients was an 18-day-old baby girl who required urgent cardiac intervention. In light of recent media reports about her condition, the NCRHA confirmed that the infant’s need for an additional surgical intervention was promptly addressed by the specialist medical team, “with the necessary care and expertise.”
Chairman’s comments
NCRHA Chairman Dr Tim Gopeesingh commended the medical teams for their dedication and expertise, stressing the complexity of the procedures and the importance of specialised care.
“These are highly complex, life-saving procedures involving some of our most vulnerable patients. While such interventions carry significant medical risks, they are undertaken by highly trained professionals equipped to respond to the challenges that may arise,” he said.
“I wish to commend both our local and international medical teams for their extraordinary dedication, expertise and commitment to giving these children the best possible chance at life.”
The teams
The programme required meticulous coordination, advanced medical equipment and specialised surgical, anaesthetic and intensive care support. It brought together professionals from leading cardiac centres in the United Kingdom and the United States, working alongside local specialists at the EWMSC.
The visiting team included lead cardiac surgeon Professor Massimo Caputo, anaesthetist Dr Steven Sale, interventional cardiologist Dr A. Magee, paediatric cardiologist Dr P. Minocha and intensivist Dr S. Furman. They were supported by an international multidisciplinary team of cardiac surgeons, perfusionists, anaesthesiologists, intensive care nurses and other specialists.
The local team included anaesthetists Dr C. Ogum, Dr J. Orozco and Dr S. Olton; paediatric cardiologist Dr R. Ramroop; surgeon Dr R. Khan; and intensivists Dr K. Khan-Kernahan and Dr S. Devarashetty. They worked together with registrars, house officers, nursing professionals and support staff at the EWMSC.
The NCRHA extended its sincere appreciation to Caribbean Heart Care, the visiting international specialists and all local healthcare professionals “whose skill, dedication and teamwork made these critical interventions possible.”
