OSHAG/C’s call to serve cancer patients locally and in the Caribbean
January 13, 2011
By Natasha Waldron Anthony
OSHAG/C Vice President Lorna Welshman-Neblett
The Organization for Social Health and Advancement for Guyana and the Caribbean (OSHAG/C) is a New York-based non-profit organization that provides medical care and assistance in Guyana, primarily to cancer patients.
The organization recently re-incorporated its name to include the Caribbean. OSHAG/C’s Vice President, Lorna Welshman-Neblett, outlined to Guyana Times International her organization’s future plans, which include facilitating the treatment of cancer in the Caribbean for those people who are unable to access such treatment overseas. She claims that the organization’s long-term goal is to continue to remain dedicated to the empowerment of the Guyanese and Caribbean communities through health education and referral services, to focus on breast cancer, prostate cancer, and HIV information on prevention. The organization’s goal is to enhance the wellbeing of health and social standards in these communities. They are also embracing other forms of cancer as they arise.
OSHAG/C is also committed to continuing its medical missions to Guyana in April, following the success of the October 2010 mission. OSHAG/C’s doctors conducted 17 surgeries at the New Amsterdam Hospital. Welshman-Neblett says that the doctors are very anxious to return in April 2011 to continue their follow-up with patients. During this mission, OSHAG/C presented medical supplies and tools for the Operating Room at the New Amsterdam Hospital.
The organization works with cancer patients in Guyana who are discovered during the medical missions’ mammogram screenings. “Lots of them are usually at a serious stage, and most times it is difficult to save them. The ones in the early stages are treated, and follow-up checkups are conducted on the return mission trips. (In) most cases, we do our best to get them to New York for surgeries and chemo treatments.” The OSHAG/C’s vice president said, adding that the organization assists those patients with medication.
The missions are in collaboration with the Health Ministry in Guyana and the Regional Health Board. And the targeted location is the Berbice region. The organization is currently in the process of adopting the New Amsterdam Hospital as its mission’s project.
Welshman-Neblett added that the April 2009 mission covered a number of districts along the Berbice coast, with daily clinics conducted at numerous community health centers.
Other initiatives undertaken by the team in Guyana include assistance during the 2005 flood, a Continued Medical Education (CME) conference for local doctors, the Look Good/Feel Better programs for cancer survivors, and the cancer walk. In addition, Welshman-Neblett said, the organization joined with the Caribbean Medical Mission of New Jersey to host an educational forum called Adopt a Village. “We touched 15 villages at health centers, clinics and hospitals during this mission.”
The organization is munerated through fund-raising events during the year, but this has been affected by the economic downturn. The Vice President said that people are not spending to come out to dinner and dances, thus they have their own fund-raisers. However, they do not generate as much as in previous years. Welshman-Neblett stated that they have a job to do, and they will move forward, no matter what happens. She added that their doctors pay their own airfares and OSHAG/C provides transportation to and from the hospital, clinics and community health centres. OSHAG also provides their meals during their entire stay. A number of local persons are hired to cook and maintain the venue where meals are served.
In March 2011, OSHAG/C will host its spring season fundraiser; and at that event, several cancer survivors will be recognized in New York.
OSHAG/C was formed in 2001, and its first medical mission to Guyana materialised in 2002 with a group of three doctors, nurses and volunteers. Support was provided by the Ministry of Health and the president, the late Mrs Janet Jagan, who supported the cancer-fighting cause.
