New York, July 23, 2008: In a colourful but dignified ceremony at the elegant Sri Devi Mandir, leaders of the Guyana Diaspora community gathered on Sunday to confer upon Mr. George Subraj, the man who helped to pioneer the first kidney transplant surgery in Guyana, the "Order of Excellence." The overseas coordinator of that project, Mr. Lake Persaud, was also granted a citation for his role, as well as, for his 15- year contribution to radio broadcasting and charitable work. The esteemed guests were first warmly welcomed at the Mandir by the officiating priest, Pt Tillackdharry Seerattan, who himself, is a devout humanitarian worker.
The citation for service of the highest order was presented to Mr. George Subraj by Mr. Ramesh D Kalicharran, ICC Chairman, who was accompanied by ICC members Haji Zakir, Mr. L Harricharran, Rev Seopaul Singh, the writer, and guests Pt P Ramrattan and Shri Mohan Singh. Having introduced Mr. Subraj to the capacity audience, Mr. Roop Persaud, ICC General Secretary, was then invited to pay tribute to Mr. Subraj for this multiple charitable achievements, including the historic kidney transplant. Mr. George Subraj in turn commends the team of doctors from the Walter Reed Medical Centre in
Washington for their superb job and commitment to the project. "For these doctors and medical personnel to leave their practice in the U.S. and volunteer their time, expertise, and resources, speaks volumes about their love for their craft, as well as, humanity." George also acknowledges the support of the local Guyana medical team and the Ministry of Health, as well as, some of his New York and Guyanese colleagues. He praised Caribbean Air for giving the project team a discount of 33% on air tickets and Buddy's Hotel for making a similar offer. He also thanked Mr. Jas Persaud for giving the New York planning committee access to the lead surgeon Dr Rahul M Jindal, and prominent Attorney-at-Law, Mr Kawall Totaram, for his strong support, including legal advice. George also acknowledges the tremendous contribution of Presidential Aide, Shri Prakash Gossai.
The eight-hour operation was conducted by a U.S.-based medical team headed by Indian-born Dr Rahul M Jindal of Brookdale University Hospital. Other members included: Dr Edward 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. The local team comprised: 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; Delon France, Medical Technologist; and Dr Wilson, Radiologist.Munesh is recovering well, and so is his mother, who had donated one of her kidneys to him. They were discharged from hospital on Monday, July 21, 2008. Munesh is responding well to treatment and George and Lake returned to Guyana on Tuesday, July 22, 2008, to monitor and help provide post-operative care to the Munesh Mangal family. The Guyana government has promised to supply at least three years' medication to Munesh. "If this is done right, then we will be on the right track to carry out similar transplant cases in the future," Subraj said. But not all was smooth sailing. At first, the Guyana's Ministry of Health was not too enthusiastic. Middle level officials were skeptical. Probably they felt that George's idea wouls never come online, given the huge financial resources involved! Also, Munesh's mother was earlier told by an examining physician thatthere was no hope for Munesh, other than to continue with the cumbersome dialysis treatment which theycouldn't afford anyway. The cost was over $(G)100,000 per week. Guyana has about 10,000 new cases of diabetes annually, and very often, this disease causes renal failure. Over 200 patients need dialysis treatment, but very few of them can afford it. It is understood that there is only one dialysis centre in Guyana. The Ministry of Health says that two more should come online within the next year. One path for patients is to seek surgery in India through established charities.
The private sector has taken the lead in providing advanced medical treatment for Guyanese abroad for many years . Many people are now asking what should be the proper role of the central government in this. Of course, government should take the lead and refine the concept of private-public partnership in medicine. It must also be prepared to give due credit to the huge part played by the private sector, and to create necessary incentives. To make the path ahead easier to traverse, the Guyana government should develop a policy paper on private-public sector cooperation in the health and other sectors. Well- intentioned people should not have to continue saying: "We feel like strangers. The door is slammed on us." George and Lake said that despite difficulties they always looked at the bigger picture. "We want to help the disadvantaged. We want to help the country. And that is what drives us forward. If we can add some sunshine into the lives of the disadvantaged, then we feel that our lives will be lit up, too. If we were still living in Guyana, we doubt whether we would have been in a position to help." Five more cases (kidney transplant) in the future are planned. It is the hope that the Ministry of Health will take over the programme in full by then. They note too, that humanitarian work transcends politics, sectional divisions, and self righteousness.
George Subraj, Tony Subraj, Jay Subraj, Kawall Totaram, and Jas Persaud indicated at a press conference, put together by Richard Mahase, at the Royal Indian Palace in New York on Monday, July 21, 2008, that they have also donated two EKG machines, wheel chairs, an oxygen generator, an ENT scope, and several blood pressure machines to the authorities in Guyana. They also informed the large gathering of New York- based journalists that, apart from the Munesh Mangal's successful surgery, the medical team also successfully performed an unscheduled operation on a 36-year Boodhoo from East Bank, who had, neither heart nor kidney problem, but rather, severe intestinal/colon problem. He is fine now.