Plans are in the pipeline for boxer Clive Atwell to have reconstructive surgery on his skull overseas with the help of the Government of Guyana.
During a press briefing at the Ministry of Public Health yesterday at which Atwell was present, it was disclosed that the government through the ministry, is planning to support the boxer as he prepares to have reconstructive surgery in Trinidad and Tobago.
Last October, Atwell was diagnosed with massive intracranial haemorrhage and general swelling to the brain following his WBC FECARBOX super lightweight fight. He then became neurologically stable after a successful emergency surgery by local neurosurgeon, Dr Amarnauth Dukhi.
Fast forward eight months, the prize fighter now needs assistance to do reconstructive surgery to his cranium.
According to Junior Health Minister Dr Karen Cummings, Atwell just needs to send a formal request for assistance to the Ministry to complete the corrective surgery before further assistance can be forthcoming.
Cummings also used the forum to dispel statements that the government was not helping the boxer to undergo his surgery when it was in-fact revealed that the ministry is in the process of acquiring the instruments needed for the procedure.
Minister Cummings and Dr Dukhi also contended that contrary to the headline in yesterday’s Kaieteur newspaper titled, ‘Clive Atwell in biggest fight of his life,’ Atwell’s surgery is not life threatening.
“You have a skull defect that needs to be repaired. It’s more or less cosmetic. You’re not going to lose your life if it’s not done but you’ve given us [Guyana] good service and we would like to see the process to completion,” the Minister told Atwell.
Said Dr Dukhi “His surgery is a reconstructive corrective surgery. That is not a life threatening condition he has currently. He has a defect in his skull that needs repair.”
Dr Dukhi added “I’ve explained to him on various occasions that it should be done in six months which is up and I agree with that. Circumstances in sourcing it [the equipment and materials] or having it done overseas is out of my hand. If they have it, I will proceed and do the surgery.”
According to Dr. Cummings, the Ministry had been sourcing the instruments needed to complete the surgery locally at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and is in the process of procuring the required instruments.
However, procurement presented a setback according to the Minister so Atwell will most likely travel to the Twin Island Republic to have the procedure done over there.
Atwell who is thankful for the assistance, stated that “Trinidad told me that if I can get the money, it can be done in a week, they can have the stuff ready in a week, I would greatly appreciate whatever assistance I can get to travel to proceed along that line.”
