Thirteen (13) children received free, life-saving and corrective cardiac procedures at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC) from November 2nd to 4th, 2026, through collaboration between the North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA) and Caribbean Heart Care.
The specialised paediatric cardiac programme brought together local medical professionals and an international volunteer team of cardiac specialists, whose visit was coordinated by Caribbean Heart Care
Seven (7) children, ranging in age from just 18 days to nine years, underwent complex cardiac surgeries to correct serious congenital heart abnormalities which, if left untreated, could have resulted in premature death or significant lifelong disabilities. An additional six (6) children underwent minimally invasive corrective cardiac procedures in the EWMSC’s Cardiac
Catheterisation Laboratory.
Among the patients was an 18-day-old baby girl who required urgent cardiac intervention. In light of recent media reports concerning her condition, the NCRHA confirms that the infant’s need for an additional surgical intervention was promptly addressed by the specialist medical team, with the necessary care and expertise.
Chairman of the NCRHA, Dr. Tim Gopeesingh, commended the medical teams for their exceptional dedication and expertise, emphasising the complexity of the procedures and the importance of specialised medical care.
“These are highly complex, life-saving procedures involving some of our most vulnerable patients. While such interventions carry significant medical risks, they are undertaken by highly trained professionals equipped to respond to the challenges that may arise. I wish to commend both our local and international medical teams for their extraordinary dedication, expertise and commitment to giving these children the best possible chance at life.”
The programme required meticulous coordination, advanced medical equipment and specialised surgical, anaesthetic and intensive care support, bringing together professionals from leading cardiac centres in the United Kingdom and United States alongside local specialists at the EWMSC.
The visiting team included lead cardiac surgeon Professor Massimo Caputo, anaesthetist Dr. Steven Sale, interventional cardiologist Dr. A. Magee, paediatric cardiologist Dr. P. Minocha and intensivist Dr. S. Furman, supported by an international multidisciplinary team of cardiac surgeons, perfusionists, anaesthesiologists, intensive care nurses and other specialists.
The local team included anaesthetists Dr. C. Ogum, Dr. J. Orozco and Dr. S. Olton; paediatric cardiologist Dr. R. Ramroop; surgeon Dr. R. Khan; and intensivists Dr. K. Khan-Kernahan and Dr. S. Devarashetty, together with the registrars, house officers, nursing professionals and support staff at the EWMSC.
The NCRHA extends its sincere appreciation to Caribbean Heart Care, the visiting international specialists and all local healthcare professionals whose skill, dedication and teamwork made these critical interventions possible.