Two Senior Nephrology Technologists volunteer their vacation time for a rewarding experience
(Left to Right) The Doobay Medical Centre, Training staff on the dialysis equipment, The clinic's first dialysis patient tries the new equipment
Prevalence of renal disease is very high in Guyana and there is not a single nephrologist currently working in the country. For those individuals with end stage renal disease, dialysis is their only option and most cannot afford the treatment. Without dialysis, patients die.
Through the Division of Nephrology at McMaster University, St. Joseph’s Nephrologists have been supporting The Doobay Medical Centre, a not-for-profit Dialysis Clinic, in Guyana since it opened two years ago. The increasing demand for hemodialysis treatment in the country surpassed the clinic’s original capacity initiating the need to expand the space and get more equipment. St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton supported the project through the donation of decommissioned dialysis machines that are used to train and treat.
Two Senior Nephrology Technologists at St. Joseph’s volunteered their vacation time to support the clinic in person. Carl Haynes has been with St. Joe’s for 17 years and Alex Prine, 10 years, travelled to Guyana together for 10 days to visit the clinic, install the donated dialysis machines, and provide operational instructions to the local nursing staff.
“They were very eager to learn and excited for the new equipment,” said Carl, “and provide first class service with minimal equipment.” There are currently no trained technologists at the Doobay Medical Centre and Alex, who has been a Senior Tech for four years says, “We were able to resolve some outstanding issues [outside of setting up equipment] which was a big bonus.”
St. Joseph’s Health System supports the clinic so they can provide dialysis, regardless of the patient’s ability to pay, “They work really hard to provide services to those with limited access” explained Alex. When asked about their next visit, both Carl and Alex said, “I can’t wait to go back – it was a very rewarding experience!”
Find out more:
St. Joseph’s Health System’s International Outreach Program – Guyana