Newsletter

 

 

GUYANA MISSION 2010 

 

 

The Overseas Medical Assistance Team (OMAT) joined forces with The Linden Fund for its annual mission to Linden, Guyana. The one week mission from August 8^th to the 14^th was based at the new Linden Hospital Complex. The Linden Fund added a new dimension to the OMAT mission with an emphasis on women’s issues.

 

The first day began at the hospital complex with a clinic, which screened so many patients that the surgery schedule for the week became filled after that first day. Dr. Stephen Carryl spent long days in the operating theatre with his team, Dr. Malcolm Goodchild and nurse anesthetist, Yuri Powell. Both are first time OMAT volunteers and employees of the Brooklyn Hospital Center. Their operating days sometimes did not end until 7 or 8 pm but the local staff stayed to assist because they were happy to have the patients treated and to participate in such an enriching teaching experience. “I am tired but this was an awesome experience” Dr. Goodchild exclaimed.

 

On Tuesday the community outreach began with a health fair which provided blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol screenings, HIV testing and consultation with primary care physicians.   The nurses and volunteers from The Linden Fund were kept busy with a constant stream of people who received literature and nutritional counseling along with the other screenings.    In the evening a women’s forum hosted by the local Linden Fund representatives and the volunteers provided women with information on how to remain empowered while sustaining healthy families. AIDS lectures were provided with role playing on how to keep safe and avoid HIV transmission. Information on child abuse and substance abuse was discussed and the women were encouraged to serve as advocates for prevention of both problems. The women were given a chance to explore their strengths by participating in an exercise with the OMAT volunteer Psychiatrist, Malaika Berkley. They were encouraged to declare out loud the things they thought they were good at. The women were delighted for a much needed boost to their self esteem.             

 

 

The week continued with public health lectures and in-services in various districts and health clinics.   The group also supplied the area with medical supplies. The operating room team worked feverishly to provide as much surgical service as they could in so short a time. The collaboration proved extremely fruitful and beneficial to those who were served.

 

Your funds and service make a huge difference in the lives of the people we serve. The OMAT could not have made as great an impact in Guyana without you. 

For information on volunteering with the OMAT or to make a contribution that will help make future missions possible you can e-mail OMATmission1@aol.com or donate online at omatmission.org. See more of the OMAT photos at facebook.com/omatmissions.

Write to us at:

OMAT

P.O. box 258

East Norwich, NY 11732