$49M digital X-ray machine unveiled at Mahaicony Cottage Hospital

A Digital X-ray machine worth $49M is now available at Mahaicony Cottage Hospital situated in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).
Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony commissioned the new set of equipment on Monday.

The equipment at the hospital has been set up in a new X-ray room for which the Government invested $30M.
The health minister said that the $30M+ X-ray department and the $49M X-ray machine at the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital is part of the Ministry’s initiative to replace all analog X-ray machines with cutting-edge digital devices aimed at enhancing service delivery as the Ministry seeks to improve the quality of medical services provided to patients.
The X-ray machine is manufactured by Siemens, one of the leading X-ray machine manufacturers. Dr Anthony noted that the hospital had previously experimented with different brands and found Siemens to be more reliable for imaging purposes.
The Georgetown Public Hospital has used the same brands of X-ray machines and gotten years of service out of it.
According to Anthony, similar X-rays are available in other hospitals, including Suddie, Linden, New Amsterdam, Mibicuri, and Port Mourant.
“In the past, we had used Siemens at the Georgetown Public Hospital and they lasted for ten years…So what you have now, is a good type of equipment,” the Minister explained.
He noted that the digital X-Ray system enables faster access to results from anywhere within the local system.
“The exposure of patients to radiation is far less, and so you don’t have that fear that you used to have before that you would have a lot of radiation, the radiation is far less in exposure to patients and the person who is doing the image,” Minister Anthony added.
As part of a broader initiative by the Ministry of Health, this introduction of the digital X-ray machine signifies the beginning of an era where analog X-ray machines are phased out.
Aimed at significantly improving the quality of patient service, this transition to digital systems is a testament to the Ministry’s commitment to integrating advanced technology into healthcare services.
Meanwhile, regional parliamentarian Fizal Jaffarally said the new facility will bring about positive changes to Region Five noting that it is part of the government’s commitment to deliver efficient health care countrywide.
He pointed out that while the government has been trying to improve healthcare delivery, too often there are complaints about the quality of service.
“We can have the best building and the best equipment but when an ordinary person goes to the institution, he or she expects to be treated with efficiency, kindness, and compassion. Too often sometimes we receive these complaints and therefore we need to change the culture as to how we relate to people when they visit our health centres and hospitals across our region.”
Jaffarally also commented on the artificial shortages of drugs and medical supplies saying that management needs to be improved.
Meanwhile, Regional Vice Chairman Rian Pieters also echoed similar sentiments noting that the impact the new X-ray machine will have on Region Five is significant.
“Yes I agree that there have been complaints coming in about the level of service, but I would not want to reiterate the complaints I would want at this time to congratulate our health workers because apart from the complaints, I have been receiving calls commending the service being provided by our health workers as well,” the Vice Chairman pointed out.
Over the past years, the government has invested approximately $300M in the health sector in Region Five. (G4)