Born in the remote town of Mabaruma, Region One, and surrounded by a family of healthcare professionals, Dr. Ayesha Nadata Wilburg was easily drawn to a life of service to others. These positive role models were not only instrumental in helping harness her innate passion for giving back, but also instilled in her, the courage to dream big; to dare to have a seat at any table. It is was therefore expected that she would take the next leap of faith in her career with the launch of a cutting-edge clinic to service the growing needs of the oil and gas industry.
Influenced heavily by her aunts and cousins who were all medical professionals, Dr. Wilburg’s early life was imbued with the values of care and community. “Coming from a family of nurses, I have learnt that patient care is not only physical care but mental also,” Dr. Wilburg shared.
“As a doctor, it’s very important to work closely with the nurses so you can provide better overall care for the patients. The patients benefit more when the doctors and nurses work as a team to manage the patient’s overall health,” Dr. Wilburg emphasised.
This profound insight, gained from her aunts and cousins, set the foundation for her future in medicine, leading her to rise to prominence in Guyana’s healthcare sector.
Reflecting on her academic journey, Dr. Wilburg shared that at the age of five, her family moved to Georgetown. However, she spent every school break until she was 18, visiting Mabaruma, staying with the late Mrs. Ave Maria Broomes and visiting her grandparents and aunts.
Dr. Wilburg noted that her academic journey began at FE Pollard Primary School in Kitty, then South Ruimveldt Primary School. For high school, she was awarded Christ Church Secondary School after writing the Common Entrance Exam. She performed well in the first year and was transferred to St. Rose’s High School, where she wrote the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) exams. Upon completing CXC, she went on to do A levels and CAPE at Queen’s College.
Her work-study stint at the Mabaruma Regional Hospital at the age of 16 solidified her aspiration to be a doctor who could provide comprehensive medical support.
As her passion for medicine grew into clear focus, Dr. Wilburg was insistent on furthering her studies, and did so at the University of Guyana (UG), starting pre-med courses and then entering the School of Medicine in 2004. She graduated in 2009 and completed her internship at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) in 2010. According to Dr. Wilburg, GPHC provided her with practical experience. The doctors, nurses, and support staff at GPHC helped her along the journey to becoming the doctor she is today.
Her career then took her to Jamaica, where she worked at Savannah-la-Mar Regional Hospital and Cornwall Regional Hospital for four years.
Despite enjoying her time abroad, homesickness brought her back to Guyana in 2015. She initially worked part-time at Essential Care Pharmacy, Davis Memorial Hospital, and Dr. Balwant Singh’s Hospital before securing a full-time position as head of the Emergency Room at Dr. Balwant Singh’s Hospital.
With experience in medical practice both in Guyana and Jamaica, Dr. Wilburg shared, “Healthcare practices and principles are similar throughout the world. All medical professionals aim to provide the best possible care to their patients with the resources that are available in their country.”
She explained, “I strongly feel that Guyana produces very good medical professionals, and we are progressing to the point where we are able to provide medical care similar to international standards in all specialties.”
In the future, Dr. Wilburg shared that she would like to be Minister of Health in Guyana. She said, “It might be wishful thinking, but the appointment of the Minister of Health should be apolitical so our citizens can rest assured that the medical doctor who is appointed Minister of Health is for the nation of Guyana and is working to improve healthcare in Guyana without any restrictions.”
In 2018, Dr. Wilburg shared that she ventured into the oil and gas sector, working on the Noble Bob Douglas Drill Ship. Although she enjoyed the experience, severe motion sickness led her to return to land. She then resumed her career at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, becoming its Medical Director in 2019. Dr. Wilburg claims that the administrative role and the medical role have helped her to better understand the clinical aspect and administrative medical care in Guyana’s private sector.
In 2021, Dr. Wilburg teamed up with two male doctors and a lawyer to form Healthcare International (HCI), which opened its doors at the Amazonia Mall, Providence East Bank Demerara, on July 31, 2021. As co-founder and shareholder at HCI, Dr. Wilburg said she worked long hours, sometimes seven days a week.
This year however, Dr. Wilburg made a bold step to branch off on her own. She said, “Leaving HCI was a hard decision. There were lots of tears, but at the end of the day, you need to put your physical and mental health first.”
On May 1, 2024, Dr. Wilburg launched her own company, Dr. Wilburg’s Medical Services (DWMS), a 100% Guyanese-owned company. She shared that DWMS is a full-service medical company with a clinic located at 11 Peter’s Hall, East Bank Demerara. The clinic accepts patients via appointment as well as walk-ins.
Guyana standard understands that DWMS provides general medicine services, international medicine, psychology, dermatology, pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynecology services. The DWMS clinic can be contacted at + (592) 620-9998.
While the journey to becoming a clinic founder had its challenges, Dr. Wilburg, remains resolute that everything seems to be aligned with God’s plan for her life. She also expressed confidence that DWMS will be able to provide the level of medical services that the oil and gas industry requires. “I understand the dynamic and importance of health and safety, so being proactive and practicing preventive medicine is very important to DWMS,” she said. Overall, it is her fervent hope that DWMS will plays its part in delivering Guyana’s promise of world-class healthcare services.
