GPHC transplant surgery department celebrates another significant first
At the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), the transplant surgery department continues to celebrate significant progress in kidney care and life-saving transplant services.
On Wednesday, during a press engagement at the GPHC Resource Centre, the Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, and the CEO, Robbie Rambarran, highlighted Guyana’s expanding leadership in kidney transplantation and the remarkable work of the medical teams.
The announcement followed a historic achievement: the successful completion of the first four paired-chain kidney transplants ever performed in Guyana and the Caribbean. This process involved eight surgeries, including four kidney removals and four transplants.
Initially, all four recipients had donors, but they were unfortunately not compatible due to conflicting blood types or incompatible antibodies. Through experience, meticulous planning, and virtual cross-matching techniques, the team successfully paired each recipient with an appropriate donor. Ultimately, these surgeries brought strangers together who became families.
This milestone not only demonstrates GPHC’s growing capabilities but also offers renewed hope to patients and families who have long awaited second chances at life.
During the event, CEO Rambarran shared insights into the increasing burden of kidney disease both worldwide and locally. Over 2,200 new nephrology patients have been registered at GPHC between 2023 and 2025, and 360 patients are currently receiving dialysis, with 246 of them starting treatment this year alone.
He described the increasing demand as “alarming,” noting that 20 of the 29 patients currently admitted are on dialysis. He also pointed out that many cases are worsened because 90% of these patients do not attend their scheduled treatments.
Despite these challenges, he emphasised the life-changing success of transplant surgery, stating that “every successful transplant presents a second chance of life, freedom from dialysis, restored health, and renewed hope for patients and their families.”
Guyana’s transplant numbers continue to rise, placing the country at the top of the region. So far in 2025, GPHC has performed 13 kidney transplants, up from eight in both 2023 and 2024, surpassing countries such as Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Additional achievements at GPHC include performing the Caribbean’s youngest kidney transplant in 2023 on a 20kg child, conducting Guyana’s first laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, expanding transplant teams, and investing significantly in new technologies.
The hospital has also enhanced overall patient support through mental health care, education, and long-term follow-up. These successes reflect years of planning, investment, and an unwavering commitment to quality care.
Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony reaffirmed the government’s full support for expanding and improving transplant services at GPHC. He announced that Guyana will soon begin performing HLA testing locally, an essential step in determining transplant compatibility.
He also highlighted the broad international partnerships with countries including Spain, Brazil, India, and Canada, which provide Guyanese clinicians with access to advanced training and exposure to cutting-edge transplant procedures. The Minister expressed profound pride in the work of GPHC’s transplant team.
“They’re the trendsetters, they’re the pioneers in the Caribbean. They are the leaders in the Caribbean, and we want to keep it that way.”
Dr Anthony, along with GPHC’s management, praised both the medical teams and the patients who continue to drive the programme’s growth.
Additionally, the Human Organ Tissue Transplant Organisation (HOTTA) intends to lay the necessary groundwork for deceased-donor transplant programmes, including the development of registries and organ-harvesting systems.
The discussions on Wednesday focused on more than just statistics. They celebrated the bravery of patients, the generosity of donors, and the expertise of the professionals who make these life-changing operations possible.
While dialysis is essential, transplantation enables individuals to regain a normal life and long-term well-being.
With each milestone, GPHC reaffirms its dedication to leading the Caribbean in transplant medicine and ensuring that every Guyanese has access to modern, compassionate, and world-class kidney care.