Gyn Laparoscopy in the Caribbean
First St. Lucia, now Barbados----and with Fanfare!

CariGES Launch 
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Members of the surgical team review aspects of the recently conducted surgery. Photo (Left to Right): Nurse Ramsey, Ria, Anthony, Karl, Dr. Bennett, Dr. George,  Dr. Scholar-Shepherd, Rhona, and Dr. La Fond.

The surgical performance is outstanding for any facility that is experienced in providing advanced laparoscopic services. That factor makes it even more incredible that the first eleven advanced Gyn laparoscopic procedures at Bayview Hospital were completed in reasonable time, and without adverse incident. Dr. Bennett must be congratulated for bringing all segments together for this her first “production”. It is also important to identify some of the multiple areas involved in this venture including her office staff, Bayview Hospital’s administrative services, the anesthesiologist, Dr. Graham McGeoch, operating room nurses and technicians, ward nurses, other hospital personnel and Karl Williams, visiting biomedical engineer/surgical technician.

Photo: Dr. Bennett and Dr. George share a patient’s expression of gratitude.

Perhaps the best commentary on the success of the session is the uniform thanks and high praise from the patients who are eager to let their friends and relatives know about their experience. Some are willing to volunteer to promote laparoscopy and others expressed a desire to come together to recognize and celebrate the landmark events.

Laparoscopy has become the patient’s choice whenever clinically feasible. Patients will leave the care of their doctor and travel overseas if necessary in order to have less pain, less blood loss, less infection rate and a faster recovery, the main benefits of laparoscopic surgery. 

CariGES has set its next goal as that of training physicians in Barbados and throughout the Caribbean in Gyn. laparoscopic surgery. In addition CariGES perceives a system of exposing students from the University of the West Indies to laparoscopy early in their training. Much more must be accomplished to educate women and the community at large in what it means to have laparoscopic surgery and the benefits thereof. To this end a series of public service lectures are planned.

Photo: Operating Room nurses displayed their sentiments.

Bayview hospital is well positioned to be the center for Gyn. Laparoscopic surgery in the Caribbean. Given the vision and dedication of Dr. Bennett and the CariGES team, the vision and support of the minister of health as well as the minister of tourism and the philosophy of Sagicor, the major insurer in the Caribbean, there is a bright future for laparoscopic surgery in Barbados.  

I have pledged my support to CariGES in the pursuit of its mission to provide quality gynecologic services to Caribbean women. Notwithstanding its slim resources, CariGES remains firm in achieving two of its goals to teach and proctor physicians in practice and to expose students from the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus to minimally invasive surgery early in their training.

The second session is being planned for the week of December 27, 2009 and the third for February, 2010. Invitations are being sent to gynecologists in the region and training consistent with guidelines set by the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists, (AAGL) is expected to be instituted by the February session.

John P.A. George MD
Director, Gynecologic Endoscopy
Washington Hospital Center
Phone:  202-291-0039
Washington, DC
Website: www.lapscope.com

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