Don't Crack No Jokes.

It hurts to laugh after an abdominal surgery you know. That's what some of the post-surgical clients found out first hand - they were subsequently begging for straight faces. Only nine from the Upper Mazaruni were able to make it onto the packed schedule in Bartica for the visiting RAM surgeons as many more were disappointed.

Pictured here is a rare glimpse of Mt Roraima during the flight this afternoon between Paruima and Phillipai in that district of Region Seven.

One interesting outcome of the surgical expedition, said one health worker, is that many more candidates are coming forward for the first time in these isolated villages. They previously had no reason to hope that their hernia or 'goadie' could be healed through the system. One sixty year old Arakuna tribesman that did see the team had been suffering for over four years.

Bartica Surgery Team Meets Trauma and Triumph

Gunshot wounds and overtime surgery.  While working at the interior gold mining town of Bartica, RAM volunteer doctors and team members encountered the rough side of mining life.  Pictured here is a bullet lodged in a patients leg at the Bartica hospital just milimeters from the femoral veign - he was lucky to survive. 

A group of bandits had attacked and robbed a series of mining camps up-river from the town, took hostages, capsized a boat, and escaped into the jungle.  The police acted swiftly and have cornered or captured a number of suspects.  Most of the surgeries being performed by the volunteer team however are elective general cases for debilitating or disfiguring conditions including hernias, hydroceles and gall stones. 

The town itself has been secure and quiet with residents including Regional Chairman Knight and Regional Executive Officer Ramotar expressing their willingness to partner on future RAM expeditions to the region.

The Ultimate House Call

A medical emergency flight to Gunns Strip last saturday saw Dr Irv Chan seeing patients in what can be argued as the most remote and isolated spot in all of Guyana.  'Bush rope' is used to secure the hamock while villagers stand by to help lift the patient into the waiting RAM air-ambulance.  The Lethem Hospital Ambulance is waiting to transport the sick and injured to the nearby hospital upon arrival.

Digicel joins RAM in promoting HIV testing.

In a promotion running through both the Regional Heritage Celebration and National Week of Testing, Digicel has donated a touch screen cell phone to encourage residents of Region 9 to get tested.

Come out today and get your chance to qualify for the grand drawing on October 10th. The fold able promotion flyer/cube here details the prevention activity.

First Day of Major Surgery at Bartica Hospital (ever) a Success.

Due to the outstanding preparation by the hospital staff and administration, the visiting Remote Area Medical and Ministry of Health team completed six surgeries yesterday in the debut event.

Special thanks to Terry Mohamed, Marcy Gravesande and TGA for helping scramble and deliver some urgent anesthesia supplies early this morning to keep the team in action. Also thanks to Baganara resorts for volunteering to transport surgical clients by boat and provide airport security.

Pictured here is Nurse Dutchin of Bartica District Hospital assisting with client registration along with Dr Puranik, Dr Maddiwar and Dr Ramesh.

Photo of the day:

Children at Philipai airstrip in the Upper Mazaruni wait by the aircraft while surgery clients are screened and boarded for their trip to Bartica.

8th General Surgery team arrives in Bartica today.

For the first time in the history of Bartica Hospital, a team of physicians will perform major surgery at the facility. Headed by long time RAM volunteer Dr Gan Maddiwar, the team of visiting professionals will partner with the Ministry of Health and local providers to deliver services to the interior mining town.

This is the first time the RAM surgical team has been invited to Region Seven after many successful expeditions in the Rupununi district.

Outlying indigenous communities also stand to benefit as clients from the Upper Mazaruni district are being flown in via the RAM air-ambulance aircraft to perhaps repair a debilitating hernia or remove a mass.

Special thanks to the Regional Health Services, and Hospital administration and staff for making this mission possible

Stand by for updates.