A post-mortem examination conducted on the body of the 63-year-old medex, who was found dead in his hotel room in New Amsterdam, Berbice, on Thursday, revealed that he died as a result of heart failure, diabetes mellitus and infection in the lungs.
Government Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh conducted the autopsy on the body of Wilton Longford Benn at Memorial Gardens Crematorium and Funeral Home in Georgetown.
Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony and the medical fraternity, extended condolences to Benn’s wife, Susan Benn and his daughter, Melissa Harris, and other family and friends.
“His passing is a tremendous loss to Guyana, and we share in the sorrow of his departure, reflecting on the life of a distinguished healthcare professional and a true pillar of our community. Medex Benn has left behind a remarkable legacy of dedication, innovation and an unwavering commitment to health education and service,” Minister Anthony stated in a press release.
Benn began his journey in the healthcare profession in 1981 as a nursing assistant at the Georgetown Public Hospital. His dedication to patient care and passion for healthcare led him to become a Medex in Region 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) in 1989, a role in which he served the region for an impressive 19 years, the minister’s press release said.
Benn also pursued studies in Communicable Diseases at Mona University in Jamaica from 1995 to 1996. This further added to his commitment to improving healthcare in Guyana and beyond. In 2006, he took on the role of Coordinator for the Medex Training Programme in Georgetown at Health Science Education, demonstrating his dedication to the education and development of healthcare professionals.
In 2013, Benn was appointed Director of Health Science Education, and continued to shape the future of healthcare in Guyana through his leadership and vision. After retiring in 2016, he was called back to serve in the same position.
Two years later, Benn was appointed Health Education Officer under Primary and Healthcare Services, a position he held until his passing, the release said.
“His contributions to this scope of work and his tireless efforts in advancing healthcare services in Guyana are commendable. His commitment to service and his contributions to healthcare education have left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of working with him,” the release quoted Anthony as saying.
The release stated that Benn was not only a healthcare professional but also a mentor and leader who inspired many.
According to a police press release, Benn, of Lot 82 William Street, Kitty, Georgetown was found motionless in a hotel located on Main Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice.
The police said they responded to a report around 09:02 hrs on Thursday and found the man’s body in Room 238. Emergency medical services pronounced Benn dead at the location, the release said.
Holly Trim, a 38-year-old public health nurse, told the police that she and Benn (her colleague) were attached to the Maternal and Child Health Department, Ministry of Health. Trim further mentioned that Benn was recovering from dengue fever, the release said.
She told the police that she and Benn went to Berbice on Wednesday for supervisory visits to different health facilities to see how they were managing the new HPV vaccine.
Around 08:45 hrs on Thursday, the Ministry of Health driver went to the hotel to pick up Benn and Trim to take them to Corentyne to visit clinics there, the police were told. When Benn did not appear, Trim and the driver knocked on his room door but got no answer. As such, the driver forced open the door, and upon entering, they saw Benn lying motionless in his room, the release said.
