Press Releases

Leadership Setting the Tone

On February 8, 2026, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) hosted its Annual Surgery Research Day 2026 at the Atlantic Conference Room of the Pegasus Hotel. The full-day forum brought together surgeons, residents, researchers, and policymakers in a dynamic showcase of surgical innovation, academic scholarship, and patient-centred care in Guyana.

The event was chaired by Dr. Christopher Chung and opened with remarks from Dr. Navindranauth Rambaran, Director of Medical and Professional Services; Chief Executive Officer Mr. Robbie Rambarran; and Presidential Advisor on Science and Healthcare Modernisation, Dr. Mahendra Carpen.

In his address, CEO Mr. Robbie Rambarran reflected on his journey at GPHC, which began more than two decades ago when he joined the institution at age eighteen. He spoke of the hospital’s evolution, its challenges, achievements, and steady transformation, and credited initiatives such as Research Day for fostering inquiry, professional growth, and improved patient outcomes.

He highlighted the conference’s continued expansion, noting increased research participation and stronger engagement from surgical trainees each year. With major academic engagements such as CAFOG, CARPHA, and the upcoming national surgical roundtable on the horizon, he encouraged staff to broaden their academic footprint and fully utilise Guyana’s strengthening training ecosystem.

Importantly, Mr. Rambarran underscored the need for proactive policy development and stronger departmental leadership. He urged teams to take initiative in defining and documenting standards of practice, formally articulating their needs for equipment, protocols, and institutional support. “Policies must be written before they can be implemented,” he emphasised, reinforcing that meaningful change begins with clear advocacy and structured planning.

Despite discussing administrative challenges, his message remained rooted in compassion. He reminded attendees that every research project, dataset, and innovation must ultimately serve the patient. Alongside investments in major infrastructure—including a new MRI suite, a second catheterisation laboratory, an additional CT scanner, ESWL technology, and modernised clinical spaces—he stressed the equal importance of empathy, professionalism, and effective communication within clinical teams.

Research as the Engine of Progress

Delivering greetings on behalf of the Minister of Health and His Excellency the President, Dr. Mahendra Carpen commended participants for dedicating their Sunday to academic advancement. He reaffirmed that while surgical techniques and technologies evolve, the patient must always remain central.

He described research as the engine that drives sustainable and equitable healthcare decisions. Highlighting Guyana’s growing postgraduate programmes, expanding international collaborations, and rising resident achievements, he paid tribute to the pioneers who laid the foundation for modern medical education in the country. His call to action focused on mentorship, subspecialty development, and balanced investment in both people and technology.

Highlights from the Scientific Programme

Breast Surgery & Oncology:
The breast surgery session focused on improving long-term outcomes and patient experience through data-driven evaluation. Presenters examined five-year survival trends in breast cancer, analysed staging patterns at the time of diagnosis to better understand early detection gaps, and explored patient-reported satisfaction following reduction mammoplasty. Together, these studies reinforced the importance of timely diagnosis, structured follow-up, and attention to quality-of-life outcomes alongside clinical success.

Gastrointestinal & Paediatric Surgery:
In gastrointestinal surgery, researchers highlighted both milestone achievements and areas requiring continued refinement. The presentation of Guyana’s first Mitrofanoff procedures marked a significant expansion in surgical capability, while analyses of gastric cancer patterns and advanced colorectal disease offered insight into disease burden and management outcomes. Additional discussion on paediatric bowel management brought attention to often-overlooked clinical considerations, emphasising the need for comprehensive and protocol-driven care.

Urology & Minimally Invasive Innovation:
The urology segment blended public health insight with modern intervention. Studies assessed the self-reported prevalence of kidney stone disease and explored barriers preventing Guyanese men from accessing prostate cancer screening. Researchers also examined how alternative medicine influences stone disease management decisions. A focused mini-series on prostatic artery embolisation highlighted the growing role of minimally invasive techniques in expanding patient treatment options within the local context.

Anaesthesia, Critical Care & Thoracic Surgery:
This multidisciplinary session underscored the essential partnership between surgery and critical care. Presentations reviewed potential organ donor identification in 2023, analysed anaesthetic case distribution trends at West Demerara Hospital, and evaluated outcomes associated with ventilator-associated pneumonia in intubated patients. The surgical management of complicated childhood pneumonias further illustrated the complexity of thoracic cases and the importance of coordinated perioperative and intensive care systems.

General Surgery & Complex Case Management:
The final session examined the management of high-acuity and reconstructive challenges. Topics included abdominal flap reconstruction for complex wounds, outcome trends in necrotising soft tissue infections, complications related to arteriovenous fistula creation, and survival analysis among patients awaiting renal transplantation. These studies demonstrated a surgical service that is not only handling increasingly complex pathology but is also rigorously assessing its outcomes to drive continuous improvement.

The programme concluded with an engaging laparoscopic suturing competition, showcasing technical skill and composure under pressure.

Celebrating Excellence

The awards ceremony recognised outstanding contributions across education, leadership, research, and patient care:

• Dr. Carlos Martin – Outstanding Contribution to Surgical Education
• Dr. Rajendra Sukhraj – Leadership Excellence
• Kashif Khan – Promoting Unity within the Surgical Community
• Dr. Dianne Narine – Best Graduating Surgical Resident
• Aneesa Henry – Best Resident Presenter
• Akesha Murray (Urology Department) – Best Research Day Presenter
• Dr. George Jeffers – Laparoscopic Suturing Competition Champion

These recognitions reflected the collaborative spirit, scholarly commitment, and clinical excellence that define GPHC’s surgical departments.

Building Guyana’s Surgical Future

The Annual Surgery Research Day 2026 demonstrated the growing capacity of GPHC to evaluate, refine, and elevate its own clinical performance. From calls for policy-driven practice and strengthened leadership to reaffirmations of equity and scientific rigour, the event reinforced a central truth:

Guyana’s surgical future is being built deliberately, through research, teamwork, innovation, and an unwavering focus on the patient.