Guyana Opens Regional Hub for Advanced Surgery Training

Guyana is offering Caribbean countries access to advanced surgical training after helping to complete a record-setting remote heart operation.

President Irfaan Ali announced that Guyana will serve as a regional centre for robotic surgery training. As a result, medical teams from across CARICOM will have access to specialised programmes and equipment.

In addition, Guyana has partnered with India-based SSi Mantra to establish an international training hub. The government has already sent healthcare professionals to India for training. Now, local teams will help train others in the region.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony said the programme will receive accreditation. It will also form part of postgraduate fellowship training through the University of Guyana and the Ministry of Health.

Meanwhile, doctors carried out a remote cardiac procedure on a patient in India from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Officials said the operation covered a distance of about 20,000 kilometres. They described it as the longest remote robotic surgery ever completed.

Dr Sudhir Srivastava led the operation using the SSI Mantra 3 robotic surgical system. At the same time, medical teams in India remained on standby in case they needed to intervene.

Furthermore, President Ali announced the creation of a robotics advisory committee. The group will help guide the country’s growing investment in medical technology.

Officials believe the new initiative will strengthen healthcare services. They also expect it to expand training opportunities throughout the Caribbean.