GEORGETOWN, Guyana (July 13, 2008) - Two doctors from Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., teamed with U.S. and Guyanese doctors to successfully complete Guyana’s first kidney transplant surgery at the Georgetown Public Hospital July 12.
Indian-born Dr. Rahul Jindal of Brookdale University Hospital in Brooklyn and a Reservist at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, was lead attending surgeon, while Dr. Edward Falta, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, was transplant surgeon, along with two doctors and a transplant coordinator from Athens- Limestone Hospital in Athens, Ala., and seven Guyanese doctors.
Munesh Mangal, an 18-year-old who has for many years suffered from renal failure, received a kidney from his 41-year-old mother during the surgery and is reported to be doing wll.
The initiative to have the operation done in Guyana was spearheaded by New York-based Guyanese Mr. George Subraj. After some investigation, Mr. Subraj said he solicited the assistance of Dr. Jindal, who in turn organized the medical team. Dr. Jindal said that the doctors all volunteered their services and wereeager to do so after hearing Mangal’s story.
“This lad and his mother were desperately trying to raise money for him to go India (for the surgery) but it was George Subraj who showed a tremendous amount of concern and who wanted to help this family. He moved us to act,” Dr. Jindal said. Mr. Subraj has since given a personal commitment to fund the medical team for at least another five kidney transplants.
“This is a truly historic day in our country it is a celebration of partnership and a milestone for the Georgetown Hospital and the country,” said Guyana Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy. “We celebrate the local and international professionals who came together to truly achieve what is a miracle. This means so much to the health sector and to our country.” (Compiled from Guyana July 13 news reports)