World Pediatric Project starts 2019 with General Surgery Mission

THE WORLD Pediatric Project (WPP) commenced 2019 with a General surgery mission led by Dr. Jeff Lukish, pediatric surgeon from Children’s National Hospital in Washington DC.

The current mission ran from January 6 to 10, and at the time of publication, the team had seen 41 local and 15 regional patients.

CEO of WPP Susan Rickman, who accompanied the team, said she is elated to be here giving support as it feels like her second home. Rickman said a pediatric general surgery team has been traveling to St Vincent for the past 14 years, working on the neonatal care in the NICU.

Rickman said approximately 15 teams per year have been coming to St Vincent with different sub-specialties. She added that since about 2008, the Prime Minister signalled his desire to open the program to children from the rest of the Caribbean.

“So we have built it into a regional program with St Vincent and the Grenadines being the pediatric centre of excellence for the Eastern Caribbean,” Rickman said.

“We at WPP are extremely proud of this and every citizen of St. Vincent and the Grenadines should be so proud that they are ground zero for pediatric care in the Caribbean.”

Lauren McIntosh, Executive Director of World Pediatric Project said WPP definitely has hit the ground running for 2019 and are committed to reaching every child who needs help.

This General Surgery Mission is sponsored by Mustique Charitable Foundation as well as Miracle Flights.

McIntosh also thanked the Rotary Club of St Vincent South for their support with ground transportation as well as Lindon James from the BeFit Movement for providing support for the meals for the team.

“The WPP is committed to their mission in changing lives and has already scheduled its next mission which is a craniofacial plastic surgery mission from January 20 to 25 which will be led by Dr Jennifer Rhodes from VCU. The team is working to ensure every child in SVG and the region has the access to the proper health care needed. WPP with the assistance from supporting partners continue to develop and schedule long term medical plan to achieve this goal,” a release said.

The World Pediatric Project offers surgical and diagnostic critical pediatric care to children of the Eastern Caribbean and has been actively working in St Vincent & the Grenadines since 2002. The work of the WPP and its impact can be followed at www.worldpediatricproject. org or persons may call the office at 784-4512989.