Press Releases

Medical professionals from across the Caribbean and around the world gathered in Georgetown this weekend as Guyana hosted the 10th Annual Educational Symposium of the Caribbean Chapter of the Americas Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (AHPBA) for the first time. The two-day event, held March 7–8 at the Pegasus Hotel, brought together leading experts in hepatobiliary and pancreatic (HPB) surgery to discuss advances in treatment, research, and regional collaboration.

The symposium marked a milestone for the Caribbean Chapter, which was established in 2015 as the region’s primary organization dedicated to improving outcomes in liver, pancreas, and biliary surgery. In attendance were Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Health, Mr. Robbie Rambarran, CEO of the Georgetown Public Hospital, Dr. Mahendra Carpen, Consultant Cardiologist and Presidential Advisor on Science and Healthcare Modernization,  as well as specialists from the Caribbean, North America, Europe, India, China, and Australia participated in the conference, creating a platform for knowledge exchange and strengthening international partnerships.

During his welcome address, Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Health, thanked and welcomed the delegates to Guyana and highlighted ongoing developments within the country’s healthcare sector, including the construction of new hospitals and the establishment of additional surgical suites. He emphasized the importance of strengthening partnerships with regional and international institutions to enhance training opportunities for local doctors, noting that Guyana is continually seeking avenues for further professional development and specialized training. The Minister also emphasized the need to cultivate a stronger culture of research in Guyana’s medical community and encouraged greater involvement in academic publications. In this regard, he referenced discussions with Northwell Health on the possibility of publishing a medical journal. Dr. Anthony further expressed the vision of transforming Guyana into a regional hub for specialized medical services that are not always readily available elsewhere in the Caribbean.

“We want to ensure that the Georgetown Public Hospital remains one of the leading hospitals in the Caribbean. And we have been investing steadily in terms of not just developing the doctors who are working in their capacity, but we’ve also been investing a lot in the types of equipment that we have at the hospital,” he said.

During the opening session, Dr. Sandy Solomon of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation also addressed participants, noting that the 10th anniversary symposium being hosted in Guyana represents an important step for the development of complex surgical services in the country. Dr. Solomon later presented research on hepatocellular carcinoma in pregnancy, contributing to the symposium’s academic discussions.

In attendance was also Prof. Shamir Cawich of Belize, the Caribbean Chapter President. Professor Cawich noted that this meeting aims to strengthen hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgical services throughout the region.

In his address, he outlined the development of hepatobiliary and pancreatic (HPB) surgery in the Caribbean, highlighting the region’s geographic challenges and fragmented healthcare systems. He explained how the University of the West Indies helped train early doctors but noted the persistent lack of subspecialty care and the effects of brain drain. Around 2010, several Caribbean surgeons pursued HPB subspecialty training and returned to establish services across the region. Their collaboration led to the creation of the Caribbean Chapter of the Americas HPB Association in 2015, expanding training, research, and regional cooperation.

Among the presenters were:

• Shamir Cawich (Belize)- What do we know about Rouviere’s Sulcus?
• Miguel Quevado (Guyana)-Indications for Hepatectomy in Guyana
• Dan Pust (U.S.A)- Pancreatico-Duodenal Injuries
• Sandy Solomon (Guyana) -Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Pregnancy & Iatrogenic Bile Duct Injury in Guyana
• Ramnanand Shetty (Jamaica) -Hepatic Surface Grooves in the Caribbean Diaspora
• Ernest Luis Santiago (Guyana)- Congenital Choledochal Cysts in Paediatric Patients
• Li Huansong (China)-Dangerous Accessory Right Hepatic Duct
• Ramnanand Shetty (Jamaica) -Role of Cannabidiol in Liver Regeneration in Animal Studies
• Fawwaz Mohammed (Trinidad & Tobago) – Laparoscopic CBD Exploration in Caribbean Practice
• Dawit Kabiye (St. Lucia) – Surgeon-Led ERCP: Experience in St. Lucia
• Kimberly Alexander (Trinidad & Tobago) – Cholecysto-Cutaneous Fistula
• Rahul Deshpande (United Kingdom) – Aquamantys® – A Useful Tool for Hepatobiliary Surgery & The Peri-Hepatic Surgeon
• Daniel Thomas- How I Do It: Hydrotherapy in HPB Surgery
• Reena Patel (Australia) – Optimized ICU Management After Major Liver Resections
• Ulaine Wright (Guyana) – Surgical Management of a Ruptured Liver Tumor
• Michael Kluger (USA) – Red Blood Cell Salvage During Cancer Surgery: A Way Forward in the Absence of Reliable Blood Banking Systems
• Johann Buhawan (Trinidad & Tobago) & Dr. Karisha LaClohiere (Barbados) – Changes in Monitoring Concepts for HPB Surgery – Changes in Monitoring Concepts for HPB Surgery
• Kemba Peters (Jamaica) – The Learning Curve for Pancreatico-duodenectomies at a High-Volume Center
• Ammar A. Javed (USA) – PancPals: An Introduction to Caribbean Practice
• Gene Coppa (USA) – Role of Minimally Invasive Surgery in Pancreatic Resections
• Yardesh Singh (Trinidad & Tobago) – Laparoscopic Approach to Left Sided Pancreatic Malignancies: Tips from the Regional Expert
• Aneesa Henry (Guyana) – Surgical Management of Chronic Pancreatitis: A Mini Case Series

In his address on day 2, Dr. Mahendra Carpen emphasized the resilience of Caribbean people and the importance of collaboration in strengthening regional healthcare systems. He highlighted that despite challenges such as rising chronic diseases, limited specialist availability, climate vulnerabilities, and resource constraints, the Caribbean continues to demonstrate strength through partnerships, innovation, and a committed healthcare workforce. He also stressed the need for equitable healthcare access for all, regardless of location or background, while noting Guyana’s commitment to investing in human capital, infrastructure, and regional cooperation to modernize healthcare. As he stated, “Our path forward must be through partnerships, collaborations, and innovations.”

The symposium served as an important forum for the exchange of knowledge, highlighting current research, regional experiences shaping hepato-pancreato-biliary care.

Participants also had the opportunity to interact with representatives from several medical and corporate sponsors who supported the event. These included BPI Guyana, KD Enterprise, A.A. Laquis, Medtronic, Ansa Macal, Bryden Stokes, and CNOOC, whose participation helped showcase medical technologies, equipment, and services that support modern surgical practice.

Organizers noted that the Caribbean Chapter remains committed to advancing education, research, and innovation as part of the AHPBA’s global outreach efforts. The event also served as an opportunity for healthcare professionals, trainees, and regional stakeholders to collaborate and build capacity in specialized surgical care across the Caribbean.

As the symposium concluded, participants emphasized the importance of continued regional cooperation and training initiatives to strengthen healthcare systems and improve outcomes for patients requiring hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery. The successful hosting of the symposium in Georgetown signals Guyana’s growing leadership in this highly specialized field of medicine.