Since their arrival in Guyana, the 19th China Medical Team both believes and demonstrates that they have significantly boosted healthcare delivery in the country. Their admiration for the progress of their local counterparts continues to grow.
On Monday, the team inaugurated what is known as Surgery Week at the Georgetown Public Hospital. Running until Friday, this event provides Guyanese access to a range of medical services from the Chinese team.
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Surgery Week is a concentrated demonstration of the medical expertise of the 19th China Medical Team. It showcases the cooperative achievements between Chinese and Guyanese doctors while allowing locals to become more familiar with the Chinese medical professionals. Dr. Zhao Changyong, head of the China Medical Team, emphasized the advanced medical technology and the spirit of resilience and sacrifice the Chinese teams have brought to Guyana. Over the years, the establishment of numerous clinical centers and the application of new technologies have significantly elevated the healthcare level in Guyana.
Dr. Zhao Changyong is two decades into his career as a general surgeon, specializing in laparoscopic surgery, particularly in hepatobiliary and pancreatic operations. As a consultant for Team 1 of the Department of General Surgery at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Dr. Zhao leads his team in treating critically ill patients in emergency situations. His expertise includes handling severe liver trauma, stab wounds to vital organs, and other life-threatening injuries. He has successfully performed Whipple surgery multiple times, a procedure considered one of the most challenging in general surgery.
Dr. Zhao recalled a case involving a pancreatic cancer patient from Linden who had been deemed inoperable by others. Dr. Zhao successfully performed the surgery, earning the patient’s heartfelt gratitude. “When the patient left the hospital, he felt lucky after meeting me and said the Chinese medical team was a gift from God to him,” Dr. Zhao shared.
Promoting super-minimally invasive surgery, Dr. Zhao aims to reduce the trauma associated with procedures like laparoscopic cholecystectomy and appendectomy, leaving barely visible scars. He selflessly shares his medical expertise with Guyanese colleagues, focusing on training four local doctors. His contributions include donating specialized surgical equipment, demonstrating surgeries, and sharing perioperative management techniques, significantly developing GPHC’s hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery capabilities. The establishment of this specialized division marks a milestone in general surgery in Guyana, enhancing the country’s diagnostic and treatment levels for related diseases.
Dr. Zhao provided a brief history of Chinese doctors in Guyana. The first China Medical Team arrived on July 30, 1993, warmly welcomed by then Health Minister Gail Teixeira and later by President Dr. Cheddi Jagan. This marked the beginning of China’s first medical cooperation project in South America. Over the past 31 years, China has sent 19 medical teams and 279 experts to Guyana, fostering significant progress in clinical medical exchanges, medical education and training, and public health.
The 19th China Medical Team, led by Dr. Zhao, arrived in Guyana in September 2023. Comprising 14 medical experts, they closely cooperate with counterparts at GPHC and Linden Hospital, treating nearly 13,000 patients and performing over 2,000 surgeries. During their rest periods, they organized 14 free medical outreaches, extending services to remote Amerindian villages, benefiting more than 3,400 people.
Responding to the Ministry of Health’s requirements, the team donated cervical cancer screening equipment and collaborated with the Guyanese government to launch the Guyana Cervical Cancer Screening Project. They also trained sample collectors and screening test doctors. Beyond their medical duties, the China Medical Team participates in local activities, experiencing diverse cultures and building friendships, serving as ambassadors of goodwill.
In summary, the 19th China Medical Team has significantly impacted healthcare delivery in Guyana, showcasing the benefits of international medical cooperation and the spirit of cross-cultural collaboration.
