HERO's Response to the Recent Flood Disaster in Guyana
By Dr. Wayne Sampson, MD.

eavy rains in December and January, coupled with poor drainage systems in Georgetown and the East Coast villages, resulted in the worst flooding in the aforementioned areas in more than 100 years. While the flooding was disastrous, it was nowhere near the catastrophe visited upon Asia by the recent Tsunami. However, almost 200,000 people, slightly more than one fourth Organization's population, were directly affected by the flood. The economic impact on the nation's economy was enormous. Homes and personal possessions were destroyed, as well as agricultural produce and livestock. Many businesses were forced to temporarily close due to the loss of electricity, a clean water supply, and staff. Moreover, flood associated diseases took a significant toll on the flood victims.

Leptospirosis, a disease that is potentially fatal if left untreated, resulted in 37 deaths. It was the vigilance of the local health care personnel that enabled them to recognize the disease as a serious threat and take the appropriate measures needed to diagnose and treat the disease. As a result, the people of Guyana were provided with access to testing, early treatment, and prophylactic antibiotics.

For the Guyanese, like myself, who live in America, images of the flood and stories of its impact were only a mouse click away due to the wide coverage by the international news media. The images stirred a lot of emotions and spurred us to ask: why did something like this, widely believe to be preventable, happen? However, it is undeniable that the overwhelming sentiment was the need to do something to ease the suffering of our fellow countrymen.

Harrison and John Mitchell, Guyana-born physicians who are based in New York City, contacted me about their interest in participating in flood relief efforts through our organization. A committee was quickly formed through the combined efforts of the Mitchell brothers, Dr. Collie Oudkerk and Dr. Adrian Tyndall (our New York based directors), and Kenrick Cort and Amanda Barker (business professionals) to assess the medical needs of the flood victims and put together a medical team that would travel to Guyana to assist the flood victims. Additionally, they organized a fund raising event, which was held at the Fashion Café in Brooklyn. The event was a resounding success, raising enough money to purchase pharmaceuticals and medical equipment and enabling us to purchase Leptospirosis Testing Kits and send them to Guyana before the medical team's arrival in addition to offsetting the costs of transportation and accommodations incurred by the medical team. Additionally, it was our great fortune to have received large quantities of donated medical supplies from various New York area medical establishments.

The following is a list of the team members:

• Oswald Billey, RN
• Amanda Barker
• Noreen George, RN
• Jacqueline Gulstone, FNP-BC
• Errol Lewis, RN
• Harrison Mitchell, MD
• Heather Mitchell, RN
• John Mitchell, MD
• Collie Oudkerk, MD
• Jennifer Persaud, PA
• Wayne Sampson, MD
• Enid Sampson, RN
• Michelle Wan, Medical Student
• Rosemary White, FNP-BC

The "Relief" experience was phenomenal. The generosity of the expatriate Guyanese community coupled with the accommodating nature of the local health care professionals and community leaders, was encouraging. We had access to the patients through established health centers and temporary clinics with little hassle. The locals assisted us with our work by providing places to work and hot meals. Pastor Troy, (Section D) Sophia, donated his church, an Albouystown resident donated her "bottom house"; a Mahica resident donated her back yard; and Brian Pilgrim, our director of transportation, kept us well fed on purri, fish and chips, and cook-up rice.

Most of the 1068 patients seen and treated in Georgetown and on the East Coast were women and children. And with thanks to the vigilance of the local health practitioners, flood related life-threatening illnesses, such as Leptospirosis, were contained. A significant number of patients presented with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and arthritis, which were made worse by temporary lack of access to care. With regards to the children, fungal infection of the skin and scabies were rampant in this population. During this grave time, people salvaged their earthly possessions and focused their energies on surviving on basic necessities.

Our efforts to provide relief to the people of Guyana was recognized by the media, both television and print. Several team members received extensive airtime on popular local news channels, providing us with the opportunity to showcase the work of the medical team and the organization, HERO. Our presentation of pharmaceutical to the Ministry of Health was televised in addition to an impassioned plea on behalf of the residents of Sophia by Dr. Harrison Mitchell, which articulated our collective conscience and transformed him into a TV star whose return is anxiously awaited.

At the end of our relief duties, we were treated to a reception hosted by Dr. Cummings, Guyana's Chief Medical Officer, at the Watercress Hotel. Team members took the opportunity to reflect on the experience, which was extremely gratifying for us all. It made each of us proud to serve our country, which, most importantly, prompted us to express our interest in committing more of our time and efforts to improving the delivery of health care to our fellow countrymen. On a personal note, reflection on our accomplishments achieved in a short period of time brought me to the realization that the true heroes are the professionals of Guyana who have chosen to remain home and serve their countrymen. They work short handed, often thankless and underpaid, and they still persevere. If more of us, blessed with more opportunities to excel, give a little bit more of ourselves to a country that has rooted us so well, then Guyana will emerge as a better place for all.

Wayne Sampson

YOUNG WOMAN STRICKENED WITH SKIN CANCER

Vanessa Bellamy and her daughter, Lynear Johnson (left) shortly after they left the McKenzie Hospital in Guyana. (Oluatoyin Alleyne photo)

ecently, we were contacted about a young girl who was born with the genetic disorder albinism, which results from the absence of the skin pigment melanin. Nineteen year old, Lynear Johnson, a citizen of Guyana, was first diagnosed with skin cancer several months ago. Prior to the diagnosis, Lynear's condition worsened and was left untreated. In January 2006, she was sent to Trinidad for further evaluation where it was confirmed that she has an aggressive form of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.

Due to the severity of the cancer, the physicians in Trinidad were unable to offer any treatment and suggested that Lynear seek care in a medical center with greater expertise. Lynear returned to Guyana with little hope and significant despair. However, with the persistent efforts of H.E.R.G, the Brooklyn Hospital Center, and members of the Guyanese Nurses Association, arrangements were made for Lynear and her mother to travel to Brooklyn, N.Y. for the opportunity of hope and a possible cure.

On March 22nd, 2006, Lynear Johnson arrived in the United States for medical treatment. Lynear will require complex and extensive primary and reconstructive surgery as well as chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Her total medical costs will be covered solely by H.E.R.G in partnership with the Brooklyn Hospital Center.

H.E.R.O. is a non-profit organization that provides direct medical relief and education to thousands of residents of Guyana, many of whom live in some of the most remote regions of the country. In addition to our annual medical relief missions, we strive to facilitate the medical and surgical care for those who otherwise would not receive the care they need. As a non-profit organization we rely heavily on donations and fund-raising activities to support our continuing efforts. We are, therefore, extremely appreciative of the support received from those who have made donations in the past. Please help us with our mission with a tax-deductible donation. Lynear and many thousands of other Guyanese that we care for every year will be, in turn, forever grateful of your generosity and kindness.

We will be hosting a fund-raiser in Brooklyn, N.Y. to help cover the costs of Lynear's treatment. The event will be held in the J.R. Fashion Café on May 11th, 2006. We would like to invite everybody to come join us for dinner and a presentation about our work and Lynear's progress. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us at (718) 282-2262.