By Khadidja Ba
Olmac Medical Hub, which opened its doors to Guyana on May 14th, 2024 treated their first dialysis patient, 78-year-old, Thakoordai Chotoo on May 20th.
Chotoo was pleased to be afforded the opportunity to receive her treatment there citing the high cost of transportation to travel from her home in Leonora to receive same from hospitals in Georgetown. Chotoo expressed gratitude and appreciation to the founder of Olmac Medical Hub, Dr Philip McPherson and his team, especially to registered nurse and dialysis technician, Sinclair.
When asked for a comment, Sinclair stated “it is very rewarding knowing the hectic time the patients have travelling to and from Region 3 to Region 4 for dialysis. She no longer has to leave home at 5:30 am to get over to Georgetown for treatment, additionally the cost of the transportation to Georgetown was twice the amount paid for dialysis treatment.”
Dr McPherson and his wife Ollie were present during this time and both shared being immensely proud of this accomplishment. When approached by SN, Ollie McPherson shared “I feel ecstatic that it’s all coming through, that everything is actually working, we have put in so much work to ensure everything got here, to ensure that everything is of the best quality and for it to now be working, is yay. We could not have done this without our team of employees working assiduously behind the scenes to ensure everything was finalized and for them and all of this I give thanks to God.”
After travelling back and forth between Guyana and America for over 40 years, Dr. McPherson, a Berbician, found a way to honour his parents’ legacies by leading the charge for the first ever privately-owned and state-of-the-art Health Centre in Vreed-en-Hoop. A random encounter with his long-time friend Vibert Benjamin, 30 years into his practice as an emergency medicine physician in Brooklyn, acted as a catalyst for the momentous decision Dr McPherson made to return to Guyana and open the Olmac Medical Hub.
Amsterdam had not found anywhere accessible to get dialysis in Guyana and thus had to cut short his vacation here to return to the USA for medical attention. Hearing this, Dr McPherson was able to direct him to a dialysis centre in Brooklyn. This experience stuck with him. Acting on this, Dr McPherson was motivated to enquire about procuring dialysis machines for Guyana. RN Trudy Ann Sewell lent her expertise and network to this cause which eventually led to the sourcing of the first set of dialysis machines for the Olmac Medical Hub. This was just the beginning of Dr. McPherson fulfilling his lifelong journey towards honouring his mother and father. This endeavour was positively supported by his wife, Ollie.
Without wasting any time, Dr McPherson formed his Board of Directors and came to Guyana to meet with Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony and his team. His Board of Directors comprised himself, Dr. Dessiree Ross, Dr Collie Oudkerk, RN Sewell, Dr. Mark Innis, Attorney Ayana McPherson, Aubrey McPherson, and Earl McPherson. Dr. McPherson recounted to Stabroek News how supportive and willing Dr. Anthony and his team were to support him and his cause. Not only did they verbalize promises, they actioned and delivered on same.
Dr. McPherson and his Directors then gathered the required regulatory documents to get themselves registered locally. This was done with the help of the company’s attorney, Michael Somersall. Following the completion of this step, construction began on the Olmac Medical Hub’s building on generational land passed down from his grandparents in Vreed-en-Hoop.
Two years and three months after the construction commencement date, Dr. McPherson, his wife Ollie, members of his Board of Directors, Dr Anthony, and other special invitees cut the ribbon at the launch of the Olmac Medical Hub on May 14, 2024. At this launch, Dr. McPherson expressed gratitude for the support afforded to him by Minister Anthony, Dr. Amsterdam through his many visits to the location to share regulatory advice to ensure standards were met, the effort put into completing the building by his brother Earl McPherson and not least, all the persons in the community who lent their time and efforts to ensure this 120 ft x 30 ft building project was completed.
Even in the face of many naysayers and holding his endeavour to the highest standard, Dr. McPherson delivered a Medical Centre that according to him, “has a standard that is second to none, I am here to return to serve so the quality of care needs to be high, whatever standard I afford in the USA, I bring it here to Guyana so the equipment matched that in America, almost every piece of equipment in this facility was shipped from America, we have doctors coming in from America as well and the quality of equipment and care will be of an American standard.”
Intending to give back to the community of Vreed-en-Hoop, Dr. McPherson ensured he hired Guyanese lab technicians, pharmacists and filled other positions with as many locals as possible. He believes that hiring employees from all walks of life and geographical locations would be a step in the right direction.
Dr McPherson and his team will not refuse care to anyone coming to their hub regardless of their socio-economic status, race, gender, beliefs or any other factors. Employees are compensated at levels that reflect Dr McPherson’s appreciation of their time, skill and qualifications. The doctor believes once “my employees are happy, the hub will be happy”.
Services offered at the Olmac Medical Hub are urgent/primary care; dialysis; stroke rehabilitation; dental care; wound and diabetic foot care; CME training; X-Ray; ultra sound and clinical laboratory. The Medical Hub is located at Lot 43 New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara.
