<p><b>NEWS RELEASE</b><br />
<i>Greater Georgetown / Guyana / January 15, 2021</i></p>

<p><b>UG collaborating with local and international partners to launch programme in Echocardiography</b></p>

<p>In its continuous effort to promote and provide better cardia health care to the citizens of<br />
Guyana, the University of Guyana, College of Medical Sciences and Georgetown Public<br />
Hospital Corporation (GPHC) in collaboration with the Institute of Health Science Education,<br />
the University of Calgary &amp; Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta Affiliate Program will be<br />
launching a new programme in Echocardiography very soon.</p>

<p>This programme is another affiliated programme in the College of Medical Sciences/Faculty<br />
of Health Sciences, UG. It is a Specialist (Fellowship) programme for suitably qualified<br />
physicians leading to ASE Level III certification in Echocardiography and is scheduled for a<br />
duration of 12 months.</p>

<p>Even though Echocardiography was previously available to some degree at private, for-profit<br />
hospitals, it was not available in an accredited or formalised fashion within the public hospital<br />
system. There were no formally trained or accredited echocardiography technologists or<br />
cardiologists with formal echocardiography certification in Guyana, even within the private<br />
medical sector. Therefore, there has been limited access to cardiac diagnostics in Guyana,<br />
particularly in the public health care system. This programme is timely and necessary,<br />
especially given the prevalence of cardiac disease affecting adults and children in Guyana.</p>

<p>Echocardiography is ultrasound imaging diagnostic test of the heart and associated structures<br />
which has become routinely used in the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of adults and<br />
children with any suspected or known heart diseases.</p>

<p>It’s non-invasive test with no known risks or side effects that is most widely used in cardiology<br />
to provide a wealth of important information, including the size and shape of the heart, pumping<br />
function (including location and extent of any tissue damage), heart valve structure and<br />
function, and congenital abnormalities of structure and function of the heart.</p>

<p>On completion of this programme successful persons will be awarded a Fellowship in<br />
Echocardiography from the University of Guyana.</p>

<p><b>Contact:</b> Leisa Somrah,<br />
Public Relations Officer (ag)<br />
DECC -Public Relations Unit</p>

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UG IN BRIEF</b></p>
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<p>With a current enrolment of approximately 10,000 students, University of Guyana (UG) has<br />
graduated more than 40,000 students who have gone on to successful careers locally,<br />
regionally, and internationally. The University is also a major contributor to the national<br />
economy and to business and industry. Established in 1963 on a part -time basis with shared<br />
space at Queens College, UG moved to its own campus at Turkeyen in 1970 and expanded<br />
in 2000 with the addition of the Tain Campus. It now offers more than 129 undergraduate and<br />
postgraduate programmes including degrees in the Natural Sciences, Engineering,<br />
Environmental Studies, Forestry, Urban Planning and Regional Planning, Tourism Studies,<br />
Education, Creative Arts, Economics, Law, Medicine, Optometry and Nursing. Also, UG offers<br />
extra-mural classes at four locations through its Institute of Distance and Continuing Education<br />
(IDCE). Furthermore, UG offers the opportunity for student engagement in debating; sports;<br />
and cultural, religious, and professional activities.</p>

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