Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 15, 2016 (SKNIS): Babies and infants born with congenital heart conditions have a better chance of survival thanks to the free training provided by Dr. Beverly Tsai Goodman, fetal and pediatric cardiologist, who commenced a workshop in the Federation on March 14.
Dr. Ian Jacobs, Joseph N. France Pediatrician, explained that often the small islands (of the Caribbean) are unable to have the services of a pediatric cardiologist.
“It’s real important to adult cardiologists who see kids here with heart conditions and pediatricians to develop these skills, in case we do have a child who is ill, in order to send the information to someone who can advise us how to manage this child,” Dr. Jacobs said.
“And we were very lucky to procure the service of Dr. Tsai Goodman who is an experienced pediatric cardiologist and fetal echo-cardiographer who has done lots of work, and she’s presented courses like this for over 20 years in Bristol.”
Dr. Goodman revealed that the course is divided into a fetal cardiac course and a pediatric postnatal echo-cardio graphic course.
“The main aim really is to teach the participant a little bit about congenital heart disease i.e. heart conditions that you are born with,” Dr. Goodman said. “And to obtain some skill, they can use “echo” – which is ultra-sound to make the diagnosis of simple but also serious heart conditions, even before they (babies) are born. That is where fetal cardiology comes in, or postnatally, after birth when you can scan babies and make the diagnosis. Hopefully, then, it will guide your intervention, guide you management, guide your surgery potentially, according to what you find.”
The participants of the workshop consisted of local antenatal and pediatric doctors, as well as doctors from Barbados, Anguilla and Antigua.
While Dr. Goodman volunteered her time, the Marriott Resort provided free accommodation, several restaurants offered free meals and there was support from both the Pediatric Assistance League of St. Kitts (PALS) as well as the World Pediatric Project. Dr. Jacobs said that the Ministry of Health, the Chief Medical Officer Dr. Patrick Martin and Health Administration Officer Clifford Griffin were instrumental in the success of the workshop.
*************************
DISCLAIMER
This article was posted in its entirety as received by SKNVibes.com. This media house does not correct any spelling or grammatical error within press releases and commentaries. The views expressed therein are not necessarily those of SKNVibes.com, its sponsors or advertisers
