The United States’ Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team (LAMAT), in partnership with Guyana’s Ministry of Health, will perform surgical operations, provide dental services, and conduct professional knowledge exchanges through March 3.
A release yesterday from the US Embassy said that this was part of the US Southern Command’s (USSOUTHCOM’s) Enduring Promise mission. The mission began yesterday.
LAMAT is a medical team comprised of approximately 29 U.S. Air Force and Army medical and dental professionals and support staff who will provide free general surgery, emergency room care and dental care at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and West Demerara Regional Hospital.
Dr. Veronica Griffith, Ministry of Health Deputy Director for Regional Health Services, welcomed the team at the GPHC. The release said that Dr. Griffith expressed excitement in developing the military-civilian partnership between the US team and medical professionals here.
LAMAT operations have been coordinated with the Ministry of Health and hospital medical directors to make use of additional operating room capacity without displacing medical providers. US medical professionals will work together with local doctors to ensure continuity of care following all surgical procedures. The team brings with it the medicines and supplies necessary for the operations and will leave surplus supplies with the hospital. Overall, approximately $225,000 USD of supplies are being donated to medical facilities, the release said.
Medical patients are selected in coordination with hospital medical directors, based upon the types of surgeries and procedures the US medical team is certified to perform; primarily gastrointestinal surgeries such as hernias and cyst excisions.
The US dental team will focus on treating underserved populations. It will concentrate on cleaning, fillings, extractions and preventative care.
“My team is humbled to have been invited by the Ministry of Health and US Ambassador to Guyana to participate in this much needed operation,” said Lt. Col. Gentry Mobley, LAMAT Mission Commander.
“It is important to the US to provide whatever help we can to take care of people in need. Our team is prepared to engage in Guyana, whether that be in the operating theatre, the dental clinic, helping with emergency room or experiencing the culture”, the mission commander said.
In addition to Guyana, the LAMAT team completed operations in Suriname and will proceed to St. Lucia to conduct medical assistance operations, providing relief to medical facilities and improving the region’s collective ability to meet complex global challenges.
