Lindeners were once again given the opportunity to experience international medical care during an outreach by the Overseas Medical Assistance Team (OMAT) in association with Women of Mission International.
Over 200 residents of the community benefited from the visit which began on June 30 and ended on July 3.
The team included medical doctors and surgeons from the USA, who were supported by overseas-based nurses and support staff, as well as nurses and other medical personnel attached to the Linden Hospital Complex.
The medical assistance began some 20 years ago and is the brainchild of Linden son Dr Stephen Carryl, Chairman of Surgery at the Wyckoff Heights Hospital Center in Brooklyn, New York and President of OMAT. This year’s team included OB/GYN specialist Dr Faunda Campbell; Dr Ellen Browne Mitchell an ophthalmologist; Rose Gonsalves, MD – ER; Donna Constantine, NP – surgery; Lynette Kowlessar, BSN – paediatrics; Christina Antoine, MD – resident along with auxiliary personnel – JoAnne Carryl, Leigha Carryl, Samella Carryl, Rosemarie Williams, Khala Allen and Mission coordinator Linda Felix-Johnson.
Some of the services that Lindeners received were OB/GYN screenings, blood pressure testing, eye testing and surgeries. Many of the residents were grateful for the services provided and one was even quoted as saying; “it is time we get some proper medical services in this place.”
One of the doctors, who has returned to Guyana after some 20 years, Dr Boyd, who is in charge of Internal Medicine, des-cribed her experience as both humbling and shocking. “We take things for granted over there. We click our fingers and we get what we need to work, but here you have to consider so many things. The doctors here try to accomplish so much with so little and still are able to try their best,” she said. “Coming back was close to home,” she added.
The team has already left, but the volunteers are anticipating their next visit to the Linden community, hoping that they can do much more next time.
