[www.inewsguyana.com] – The Ministry of Health through the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) in collaboration with the University of British Colombia, LIBIN Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta and the Institute of Health Science Education, launched the first Spirometry Lab and Asthma/Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) education programme at the GPHC on Thursday, November 22.
The Spirometry Lab and Asthma Education Programme are the first components in the development of an innovative integrated chronic disease management strategy for patients with common chronic diseases such as heart failure, COPD, chronic kidney disease and diabetes.
This programme is pioneered by Dr. Robert Levy with support from other technicians out of Canada and Dr. Kishan Narine and Dr. Debra Isaacs. It is intended to train Dr. Kumarie Jaipersaud, Dr. Radha Luknauth, Dr. Dev Persaud, Mr. Ron Morris and Mr. Esofa Piggott.
The opening of the lab is the newest phase in the evolving Canada-Guyana partnership for Health Care Development. This highly successful collaboration saw the establishment of the GPHC Echocardiography Programme in 2011.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Shamdeo Persaud said that this programme is part of the bigger picture of the development of the Ministry’s “Health vision for 2020” which is in its final stages.
Dr. Levy pointed out that two respiratory therapists have been brought in from Canada to help train persons locally.
Talking about asthma, he said, “although there is no cure for asthma, appropriate management that includes a partnership between the health care team and the patient most often results in the achievement of excellent control and a normal lifestyle”.
