The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has announced that orthopaedic services that once required a charge will now be provided free of cost.
The announcement came during a press conference on Thursday led by GPHC Chief Executive Officer, Robbie Rambaran, and is said to mark a significant step toward making quality healthcare more accessible to the citizens of the Guyana.
Prior to the statement, patients were required to pay the sum of $200,000 for knee and hip replacement surgeries along with an additional cost for review. Rambaran said the decision to offer the service free was taken by the hospital’s board following a series of discussions.
“We are offering a lot more specialized surgery and care here and treatment for that exceeds the cost for a knee or hip replacement but we don’t charge for them. We’ve decided to craft a way forward. That is why we came up with a proposal and took it to the board and had several discussions and the board approved”, he said.
The announcement, was met with applause and enthusiasm from persons on social media. Rambaran, flanked by the hospital’s senior medical staff and board members, explained the rationale behind the decision.
Orthopaedic services encompass a wide range of treatments and procedures related to musculoskeletal conditions, including surgeries, physical therapy, and consultations. These services are essential for individuals suffering from fractures, joint problems, and other bone and muscle-related issues.
The CEO highlighted the financial burden many persons faced in the past when seeking orthopaedic care. “There was a fee and while it was minimal to the total cost of the surgery in terms of all supplies and theatre and surgeon time, the $200,000 cost will still a burden to many people”, he said.
The GPHC has also allocated additional resources and staff to handle the expected increase in patient volume. “Thirty people are in need of knee and hip replacement and within the next two weeks an all-women 50- member team from a US non-profit organization will be coming to Guyana”, it was disclosed.
In addition to this initiative, there has been another development. The First World Pediatric Mission in Guyana has launched a programme providing free scoliosis (spinal curvature) surgeries to young patients between 14 and 26 years at the GPHC. These surgeries will be conducted from Monday to Wednesday.
This initiative aims to address scoliosis, a spinal condition that can significantly impact the lives of young people. The programme represents a collaboration between international medical experts and the GPHC’s orthopedic team.
