World Paediatric Project concludes mission for 2022 with training and Laparoscopic surgeries

The World Paediatric Project (WPP), has wrapped up its mission for 2022 in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) having undertaken laparoscopic surgeries and conducted training for different levels of medical and nursing staff.

The team commenced work on Sunday, December 11 and ended on December 14, when they also departed SVG.

A total of eight surgical patients were scheduled for procedures during the week.

The surgeries and aftercare were done the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH), while the training was conducted at the conference room of the Ministry of Health Wellness and the Environment.

A release from WPP said this was a specialist team led by paediatric general surgeon, Dr. David Lanning which undertook their largest training exercise for the year.

It comprised five local and two regional surgeons in the areas of general surgery, obstetrics, gynaecology, neurosurgery and urology.

Apart from the USA, members of the training team were drawn from across the Eastern Caribbean, and included surgeons from St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint. Lucia, and Dominica.

The team was supported by fellow paediatric surgeon, Dr. Claudio Oiticica and surgical assistant, Cindy Sheppard, both facilitators for the training.

The local component of the team comprised WPP’s partner paediatrician and paediatric surgeon, Dr. Jasmine Ellis-Davy, local anaesthesiologists, and recovery room nurses.

Ellis said “We are excited to amplify these services at our local Milton Cato Memorial Hospital. This group focuses on expanding the capacities of our surgeons and accommodating more surgeries with shorter hospital time, less pain medication and anaesthesia.”

Also accompanying the team was CEO of World Paediatric Project, Vafa Akhavan.

The team also piloted the use of VUZIX Smart Glasses, a newly-emerged technological solution to include virtual participants in surgery.

World Paediatric Project CEO, Vafa Akhavan said “There is an incredible ecosystem that helps WPP, from equipment manufacturers and suppliers, to the companies that make the screws and the plates, to the very essential part of this ecosystem that are funders.

Mustique Charitable Foundation, one of WPP’s largest donors, has sponsored this particular mission and WPP said they are tremendously appreciative of their support and contributions over the years, “especially to the children of SVG.”

He added that it is important to understand it’s not just the doctors and technology that make these missions possible but also the citizens, their hospitality and kindness,from ground transport to hotel staff.

World Paediatric Project said they are resolute in the mission of ensuring brighter futures through expanded health services and treatment for the children they serve.

Further, that they have been able to provide paediatric speciality care to over 3,000 children in SVG alone over the last two decades.

The next surgical team, led by paediatric surgeon, Dr. Jeffrey Lukish, is slated to be in SVG in January, 2023.