My first Publication Outlook September 2019

September 2019 The Anglican Outlook news 5 P resident of the Republic of TT Paula-Mae Weekes has taken issue with the way the national anthem was sung at the closing ceremony of Carifesta on Sunday even- ing. She described the rendition as unac- ceptable, adding: “The National Anthem must be sung in its original music; no in- troduction or coda can be added or other artistic licence taken in its rendition. The offence is compounded when it occurs at an official function, as was the closing ceremony of Carifesta XIV.” The President added: “Our National Anthem, like our National Flag and Coat of Arms, identifies us as a nation and must at all times be accorded the utmost respect.” Producer of the event Davlin Thomas, who is CEO of the North Central Re- gional Health Authority, in an immediate response, said he will be advised for the future. He said: “I acquiesce to the wisdom of the President of TT and I will take an appropriate action in my future endeav- ours.” The closing ceremony took place at the Grand Stand, Queen’s Park Savan- nah. Danielle Williams, who sang the an- them, is a mezzo soprano. She has an artist diploma in music performance from the University of TT, and completed advanced artistic training at a Swedish By Michele Loubon Children from Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean have benefited from about 50 scoliosis operations and 200 limb deform- ity operations each year at the Princess Elizabeth Centre for the Physically Handi- capped, at Ariapita Avenue, Port of Spain. So said orthopaedic surgeon Dr David Toby, while delivering remarks at the launch of the 25th annual Medical Research Con- ference, hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago Medical Association (TTMA), in conjunction with the Paediatric Society of T&T (PSTT), at Hilton Trinidad, St Ann’s, on July 28. The theme was “Leave No Child Behind”. Toby was honoured by TTMA president Dr Ana Lisa Cumberbatch for his sterling contribution to medicine, children and so- ciety. Toby’s presentation was titled “Bosey back and beyond — a look at the work of the Princes Elizabeth Centre”. Among those present were Health Min- ister Terrence Deyalsingh, Toby’s wife, at- torney Nicole Toby, PSTT president Dr Virendra Singh, and Jacqueline Johnson, permanent secretary, Office of the Prime Minister (Gender and Child Affairs), who spoke on “The National Child Policy”. They were joined by moderator Dr M Dil- lon Remy and Dr J Ramcharan, who spoke on “The future of the child with ‘special needs’ — where do we stand?” Toby, who specialises in paediatric limb deformity and spinal deformity surgery, said Danielle Williams, at right, sings the national anthem during the closing ceremony of Carifesta XIV at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain, last Sunday. Photo by Dexter Philip opera studio. She’s also done advanced studies in biochemistry and nutritional sciences, with a view to a medical career. She could not be reached for a re- sponse. The “aberration” aside, Weekes said TT will long remember Carifesta XIV as a manifestation ofCaribbean talent, unity and pride. Well done! She sent her gratitude and congratula- tions to the organisers, participants, visi- tors and general public whose respective contributions ensured a “successful and praiseworthy” event between August 16 and 25. Weekes said: “We discovered, or were a “bosey back” was a Trinidad term used to describe a severely bent or twisted back or spine, which may have been caused by a number of conditions, including polio. He said the Princess Elizabeth Centre was established in 1952 as a charitable in- stitution for polio victims. It was established with the help of the Red Cross. Tracing the contribution of the centre, Toby said: “Patients are referred from gov- ernment institutions such as Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (Mt Hope). Pa- tients are referred too from islands in the Southern Caribbean region and by private doctors. “In 35 years, the spinal implants have increased from a single rod to double rods and titanium screws, with far greater cor- rection and more stable fixation. In the early 70s and 80s, we could not start a scoliosis case unless five units of blood were avail- able, which resulted in frequent cancella- tions due to unavailability of blood. Today, with the use of autologous transfusions, cell savers and transexamic acid, this is no longer a problem,” he added. “Another advance has been the use of spinal cord monitoring, which has greatly reduced the risks associated with major spinal surgery.” ers wishing to be exposed to the science of medicine. “We have developed a programme in which surgeons and medical personnel, led by Prof Vincent Arlet, chief of Spine Surgery at Pennsylvania University, visit twice a year to perform spinal operations with me at the centre at no charge,” he told the audience. “Prof Edward Abraham, from the Univer- sity of Illinois, also visits biannually for limb deformity surgery. “Several articles have been published in leading medical journals as a result of this collaboration.” And Health Minister Terrence Deyalsin- gh paid tribute to Toby. “Dr Toby epitomises all that is good about the medical profession. He is reminiscent of old-fashioned values that all of us who be- long to a modern society should attempt to emulate,” said the Minister at the function. “He has given yeoman service to the service, especially the country’s children. He is motivated by a deep desire to use his God-given talents to help the less fortunate. Trinidad and Tobago owes Dr Toby a deep debt of gratitude. He is irreplaceable.” Dr. E.L.S. ‘Buster” Robertson who started the scoliosis programme. Toby worked with him from 1984-1989. To date, Toby was as- sisted by anaesthetist Dr. Rodney Benja- min. In later years, Dr Camille Quan Soon has volunteered her services. Dr. Godfrey Araujo has also volunteered his services for managing and surgical correction of upper limb deformities, in conjunction with Shrin- ers Hospital of Philadelphia, USA. About Princess Elizabeth Centre It is the only institution in the southern Caribbean taking care of these deformities affecting children at minimal cost as there is no fee charged for the doctors’ services and only a small fee for the Centre. Clin- ics are free of charge and are held twice weekly. The first surgeon at the Centre was UWI alumni Toby, a University of the West Indies (UWI) alumnus, became a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1982. He was also a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Port of Spain General Hospital for 32 years until 2017. He received the Chaconia Medal Silver in 2013. Free surgeries done In contemporary society, Toby said, the centre has developed into a teaching insti- tution for young doctors, orthopaedic and paediatric trainees, and even sixth form- reminded of, the things that bind us and the possibilities that exist, through cul- ture, for harmony among nations. “Twenty-four contingents, cultural am- bassadors of their respective countries, created a festival that portrayed our shared rich cultural heritage.” —Courtesy Newsday Newspapers Dr David Toby addresses the audience, at a function recently held in his honour.

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