The Aishalton District Hospital’stheatre in Region Nine (Upper Takutu–Upper Essequibo) has been operationalised after being non-functional for several years.
Twenty surgeries have been successfully conducted to date, of which, 14 were major surgeries.
They were conducted by a team from the Georgetown Public Hospital during a four-day medical outreach by the Health Ministry led by Director General, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo.
Dr Mahadeo, speaking with the Department of Public Information (DPI), said Aishalton residents will no longer be required to travel to Lethem or Georgetown to have their surgeries done.
The Director General said, “From 2021, the current PPP/C Government took the decision that we will rebuild the theatre, we will get it back functioning so that persons, citizens living in this sub-region, they can benefit.
“The hospital has been renovated, is providing more services, a more modern lab with all the services that are necessary for surgeries, have a blood bank, so they have blood available, have more medicines available.” Dr Mahadeo said in 2023, mini theatres are expected to be developed at the Annai, Karasabai and Sand creek health facilities.
Katherine James, a resident of Aishalton expressed her gratitude to the government for bringing this service into her community.
She said, “I went under surgery for my gallstone and I am very happy that I had it right here in my own village. I did not have to travel to Lethem or to Georgetown. I am very thankful for that… I am right here; I could go nearby to my house.”
Clerita Peters, a Crowdar resident, added, “Tonight I had two surgeries being done on me … I would like to thank the Government of Guyana so much for bringing this service this far and I would also like to see this happening in the future because I know there are a lot of persons who need this service.” [DPI]
