Leelkumarie Mangal, 41, and her 18 year-old son, Munesh Mangal, are both conscious and resting comfortably in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after a seven hour kidney transplant. When her son was diagnosed with end stage renal failure last October, Mrs. Mangal made a decision any mother would make: she decide to give him one of hers. Yesterday, they made history by becoming the first persons to undergo such a procedure here.
The procedure was completed ahead of schedule owing to the coordination and understanding among the team members, Dr. Rahul Jindal, head of the medical team, and Attending General
Surgeon at the Brookdale University, USA, said at a post surgery press conference. According to Dr. Jindal, Mrs. Mangal will remain in the ICU for another day and then transferred to the open ward where she will remain for another four days before being discharged. Her son will remain in the ICU for another 2 where he will remain for five to six days, barring any problems.
He added that at the moment, there are no problems since the young man’s kidney is alrea making urine. However, Dr. Jindal pointed out that post surgery complications, such as rejection
of the organ and a high risk of contracting infections, remain. Medical staff of the GPHC will continuously monitor the patient to lower or reduce any risks Medication will be provided by the Ministry of Health. Additionally, Munesh would require anti-rejection medication for the rest of his life. Commenting on challenges faced in the operating room, Dr. Jindal said “there are always challenges; this is a very difficult procedure because if there is a problem then the kidney is dead and organs are not easily available.” He told members of the media that it was also difficult working with staff from another hospital because the persons were not familiar with each other. “Trying to build their trust is challenging.” He commended the Georgetown Hospital for providing whatever was needed for the success of the surgery.
He expressed gratitude to the family and local authorities for the confidence placed in the team. “It was a big challenge so we are grateful that you placed your trust in us.” Just five months ago,
Dr. Jindal was introduced to the Minster of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy and other members of the local health sector; after an initial assessment the decision was made to have the surgery done
here. “We saw the hospital, we saw the patients and while we were deciding what next to do, we said that maybe we can do the surgery right here. Everyone was so enthusiastic, it was unbelievable,” Dr. Jindal said. Minister Ramsammy, in hailing the magnitude of yesterday’s operation, said that thousands can now have added confidence in the health sector.
He added that kidney transplant surgery will be a sustained effort and something additional that the local health sector will seek to undertake. “We don’t start these surgeries as a onetime
thing...I will not raise people’s expectation to that level just to have a show.” The Minister was quick to add that finding financial support for such a programme definitely presents a challenge, but this can be worked out. He opined that finding adequate human resources to sustain the programme will be an even greater task. He urged persons countrywide to pray for the mother and child as they recover. “I want to ask all of you...that over the next few days and the coming weeks, there are still challenges that a mother and a child must confront and
they would need our prayers.”
According to Ramsammy, yesterday’s surgery was also successful because of the partnership between the local health sector and members of the diaspora. “The diaspora has been an important component in Guyana’s development for more than a decade now.” To this end, overseas based businessman Mr. George Subraj, one of the main persons behind the operation committed to sponsoring a minimum of five more persons for kidney transplant surgery. The Minister also praised Dr. Jindal for his vision and commitment for successfully completing the surgery. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GPHC, Mr. Michael Khan noted that the kidney transplant surgery is just an addition to the many firsts that the hospital has seen in recent years. Others include the first open heart surgery, and the introduction of retina detachment and laparoscopic surgery. According to Mr. Khan, the overseas team must be congratulated for its generosity in performing the surgery free of cost, and future collaboration will be welcomed.
According to Mr. Khan, the exercise will benefit the local doctors tremendously and it is hoped that very soon they will be able to perform such surgeries with little or no outside assistance. Dr.
Jindal was assisted by Dr Edward M. Falta (Transplant Surgeon of the Walter Reed Army Medical Centre (WRAMC), Washington ), Dr Melenie Guerero, (Pulmonary Care Physician), Laura Owens (Transplant Coordinator) and Dr Arthur L. Womble attached to the Athens- Limestone Hospital, Athens, Alabama who all arrived in Guyana on Thursday last. The local team includes Dr. Ravi Purohit (Surgeon), Dr. Ramsundar Doobay (Consultant, Internal Medicine), Dr. Anita Florendo (Registrar, Internal Medicine), Dr. Vivienne Amata (Anaesthesiologist), Dr. Pheona Mohamed-Rambaran (Laboratory Director), Mr. Delon France (Medical Technologist) and Dr. Wilson (Radiologist).