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October 26th, 2025 ― Doha, Qatar: Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has completed a multi-specialization medical convoy in Guyana, funded by Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD).
During the seven-day mission, the volunteering medical team from Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and Sidra Medicine examined a total of 140 patients and performed 48 major surgeries, in light of the needs specified by the Ministry of Health (MOH), as follows: 16 cardiac catheterizations, 13 cancer surgeries, four pediatric gastrointestinal surgeries, and 15 urology surgeries.
Apart from the medical team, there was a delegation from QFFD and QRCS, headed by Mohamed Ahmed Al-Beshri, Assistant Secretary-General for Communication and Resource Development at QRCS. Members of the delegation included Dr. Izzadeen Gaffar, Medical Convoys Project Coordinator at QRCS, and Yousef Al-Mulla, Acting Director of Humanitarian Aid Department at QFFD. They were received by HE Mohamed Ibrahim Al-Rumaihi, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of Qatar in Guyana, who greatly helped facilitate the delegation’s mission and coordinate with local authorities.
Two training workshops were delivered by the gynecology and urology consultants for 38 local doctors. In addition, 30 medical professionals received on-the-job training during the procedures, as follows:
- Gynecology: Eight doctors and two nurses.
- Anesthesiology: Eight specialists and assistant specialists.
- Cardiac catheterization: Two doctors, four nurses, and one technician.
- Urology: Five doctors.
Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) was supported with the medical supplies and equipment needed for cardiac catheterization and specialized surgeries, helping upgrade the hospital’s resources and ensure continued services following the end of mission.
HH Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana, held a special reception for the Qatari delegation, in the presence of Mr. Al-Rumaihi. He praised Qatar’s support for his country during the COVID-19 pandemic, through the deployment of a fully equipped field hospital and the provision of ventilators and vaccines.
The QFFD-QRCS delegation held coordination meetings with the senior officials and heads of department at GPHC, as well as Dorothy Fraser, Secretary-General of Guyana Red Cross Society.
Many poor patients were covered by the medical convoy, including a 33-year-old woman who had a 10-kg tumor removed from her left ovary. She also underwent a hysterectomy. Other examples include a woman (66) who had a pelvic node dissection procedure; a boy (6) with thalassemia major, severe splenomegaly, anemia, and malnutrition; and a 1-day-old baby suffering from congenital heart valve defects and coronary heart disease (CHD).
Most of these procedures are unavailable or rare in Guyana, performed only once a year by visiting foreign physicians.
About Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS)
Established in 1978, Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) is Qatar’s first humanitarian and volunteering organization that aims to assist and empower vulnerable individuals and communities without partiality or discrimination.
QRCS is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which consists of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and 191 National Societies. It is also a member of several GCC, Arab, and Islamic organizations, such as the Islamic Committee of International Crescent (ICIC) and the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organization (ARCO). In this legally recognized capacity, QRCS has access to disaster and conflict zones, thus serving as an auxiliary to the State of Qatar in its humanitarian and social efforts — a role that distinguishes it from other local charities and NGOs.
Both locally and internationally, QRCS has relief and development operations in numerous countries throughout the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe, and Central and South America. Its humanitarian mandates include disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and risk reduction. To mitigate the impact of disasters and improve the livelihoods of affected populations, QRCS provides medical services, food, water, shelter, and other needs of local communities. It is also active at the humanitarian diplomacy and advocacy front.
With the help of a vast network of trained, committed staff and volunteers, QRCS aspires to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity, inspired by the seven Fundamental Principles of humanitarian action: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.