There is a continuing good prospect of health care for Anguillian patients needing specialist attention not readily available on the island – thanks to a high level of cooperation between the Health Authority of Anguilla and Pavia Hospital in Puerto Rico.
The special arrangement was entered into for some time now, and both institutions are exploring ways and means to further develop areas of cooperation and service in light of recent advances in medicine and surgery.
The latest effort was a late evening 13th Medical Symposium co-hosted by Pavia Hospital and the Health Authority of Anguilla at the Teachers’ Resource Centre on Friday, April 25. The symposium focussed on such critical health issues as cardiology, paediatrics, cervical cancer and emergency medicine.
Pavia Hospital’s visiting specialists were welcomed to Anguilla by Mrs Meridith Gumbs, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Health Authority, on behalf of the Board of Directors, management and staff. “This symposium is designed to provide a rewarding educational session in which our guest speakers will delve into strategies as how to deal with those critical issues and, in the process, facilitate interactive discussion on the latest techniques, opportunities and successful clinical approaches in health care,” she stated.
Mrs Gumbs was confident that the information gleaned would better assist with the management of Anguilla’s critically-ill patients. “This discourse will help us to become better informed about, and to obtain invaluable knowledge of, proven strategies and techniques with respect to the prevention and treatment of the aforementioned health issues [cardiology, paediatrics, cervical cancer and emergency medicine], she said. The Acting CEO called for “a constant pooling of collective efforts and resources towards the continued advancement of healthcare for the residents of, and visitors to, Anguilla.”
Director of Medial Services in Anguilla, Dr Herman Higuera, said that with new devices, techniques and drugs, it was the obligation of health providers to be current in their service and to provide the best alternatives of treatment to patients.
“I thank Pavia Hospital and the Health Authority of Anguilla for offering this opportunity to learn what we can offer to our patients after the latest advances have been discussed here,” he added. “I also thank all persons present for showing their interest – not just for the knowledge, but for your patients who will benefit at the end.”
The four presenters were Femando Lapetina Irizarry, MD, FACC, Director of Cardiology; Rafael E Villavicencio, MD, FAAP; Jorge Negron Casanovas, MD, OB GYN; and Carlos A Gomez Marcial, MD. The other personnel included Mr Marcos Aquila, CEO of the San Fransisco Hospital; and Ms Madeliza Ramiez, Hospital Representative for the Caribbean Region.
The chairperson was Mrs Alicia Haywood, Department Manager, Health Authority of Anguilla; and Dr Renante Quinto, an Internist in Anguilla, gave the Vote of Thanks.
At the end of the symposium, Certificates of Attendance were presented to the personnel from the Health Authority.
