This morning, Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, met with officials from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and renowned Corneal Surgeon Dr. Lloyd Williams from Duke University, North Carolina, USA.
The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration under the Duke University Global Ophthalmology Cornea Transplant Mission.
Corneal transplant surgery was first introduced at GPHC in 2016 through a vital partnership with the George Subraj Foundation, a non-governmental organisation that helped perform 99 life-changing surgeries in Guyana by 2021. The Foundation played a key role in sourcing and providing corneal tissue, making the procedure accessible locally to patients who once had to travel abroad for such care.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Health and GPHC have been working diligently to revive the corneal transplant programme and establish Guyana’s first eye bank. The collaboration with Duke University represents a significant step forward in this effort. Together, the teams aim to advance eye care services, reduce corneal blindness, and ensure sustainable access to vision-restoring surgeries for the Guyanese population.
The Ministry remains committed to improving specialised medical services through meaningful international partnerships that build local capacity and transform lives.
Minister Dr Frank Anthony joined by Dr Lloyd Williams and Senior Staff of GPHC.
Corneal Surgeon Dr Lloyd Williams from Duke University, North Carolina, USA.