by Mildred Europa Taylor, Face2FaceAfrica.com
While Guyana marked its 60th independence anniversary last Tuesday, the country also made medical history with the world’s longest-distance cardiac telesurgery, performed across continents using advanced robotic technology.
Guyana President Dr Irfaan Ali disclosed this on Tuesday during a press conference, adding that the achievement marks a turning point for Guyana’s healthcare system, showing that it is ready to become a regional leader in modern healthcare and medical training.
“At 6 am, the team performed a coronary artery bypass graft,” the President stated.
The surgery was conducted from the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) in Guyana by internationally renowned cardiac surgeon Dr Sudhir Srivastava, who operated remotely on a patient located in India using the SSI Mantra 3 robotic surgical system, according to the president.
The procedure covered an estimated distance of approximately 20,000 kilometres, making it “the longest-distance telesurgery ever completed in the world,” the president added.
Highly skilled robotic cardiac surgeon and founder of SS Innovations Dr. Srivastava, who led the team from Guyana, was supported by a senior software engineer, the head of department for robotics instruments, a server network administration expert and a manager of digital media marketing, media reports noted. India’s procedure was supported on-site by two doctors.
The team’s achievement comes on the back of specialized training in robotic surgery undertaken in India.
“When we embarked on this journey of robotic surgery, we invested not only in the technology, but also in the training,” the president said, adding that Guyana would start working with the SSI Mantra ecosystem to set up an international training hub for robotic surgery.
The president wants Guyana to serve as the hub for robotic surgery and care within the Caribbean; thus, the country has already acquired some of the most advanced robotic surgical technology available worldwide. The move will strengthen the capacity of not only Guyanese healthcare professionals but those from sister Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states as well.
Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony noted that the technology now available in the country will ultimately improve access to specialized surgical care as specialists based in Georgetown will be able to operate on patients at regional hospitals across the country.
A procedure such as the latest cardiac telesurgery is significant for Guyana and the wider region because cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death throughout the Caribbean, Head of Medical Services and Cardiology at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Dr Mahendra Carpen, said, adding that many patients need bypass surgery for severe blockages.
“This morning, we introduced a cardiac surgery approach using telerobotic surgery where, instead of opening the chest straight down the middle, fine tubes were inserted between the rib spaces,” Dr Carpen said at last Tuesday’s press conference. He explained that with robotic procedures, trauma to the body is reduced while patients also recover quickly.
In effect, performing robotic heart surgery over such a long distance highlights the strength of the technology Guyana has, Anthony added.
“Because of this operation, that patient is alive and well, and that’s the power of what has happened here today,” he said.