– after graduating with honours from Italian University
Javin Luke, an engineer within the Health Ministry, graduated on Friday as the best graduating student in the Master of Advanced Studies in Medical Physics program at the International Centre for Theoretical Physics at the University of Trieste in Italy.
Apart from maintaining high grades throughout the two-year Master’s program, Luke also scored maximum points in his thesis, titled “Development of an updated quality control protocol (QCP) for fixed-type digital x-ray equipment managed by Ospedaledi Circolo, Varese, Italy”.
The graduation ceremony was attended virtually by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana to Switzerland, Dr Leslie Ramsammy.
Javin Luke is the first male Guyanese to specialize in Medical Physics, and this marks a historic moment for Guyana, as he will become the Health Ministry’s first in-house male Medical Physicist.
Javin Luke
His dedication and outstanding performance in the program have earned him the distinction of Best Student of the 10th Cycle; and this scholar joins Petal Surujpaul – until then the country’s only Medical Physicist — who has been attached to the Georgetown Public Hospital for the past two decades.
Medical Physicists are integral to ensuring the safety and effectiveness of radiation treatment and diagnostic imaging, and their expertise enhances the country’s healthcare infrastructure. With Guyana presently experiencing an almost total overhaul of its radiology services, the availability of local medical physicists becomes critical.
Presently, almost every public hospital is equipped with digital X-rays. All new hospitals will be equipped with digital X-rays, totally eliminating analogue X-rays.
There already are six CT scanners which would be installed in the six new regional hospitals to add to the GPHC CT scanner. Each of the hospitals being constructed in the hinterland would have CT scanners.
Between 2025 and 2027, at least three MRIs will be installed: at GPHC, New Amsterdam, and at the new Paediatric and Maternal Hospital. In addition, the establishment of modern cancer diagnostic and treatment centres would guarantee that nuclear capabilities would be established in the health sector.
In anticipation of these developments, the GoG engaged the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) which readily invested to enhance Guyana’s healthcare capabilities in the field of Medical Physics, which plays a crucial role in patient care and treatment quality. The IAEA also donated five mammography equipment.
The Guyana Mission in Geneva has said it is thrilled to celebrate Mr. Luke’s graduation as the Best Student in his cohort. His achievement reflects not only his hard work and perseverance, but also underscores the commitment of the Government of Guyana to foster talent within our healthcare system. Mr. Luke’s skills will greatly benefit Guyana’s medical services and contribute to the advancement of health outcomes.
As Guyana continues to elevate its healthcare services, the Government of Guyana has said, it remains dedicated to creating pathways for education and specialization in critical areas of medicine and health technology.
Guyana’s Javin Luke, Guyana’s 1st male medical physicist
In a meeting of Guyana Government representatives with IAEA representatives last week in Geneva, the IAEA committed to working with Guyana to further enhance Guyana’s capacity to utilize radiology, radiotherapy, and nuclear diagnostics. The Geneva Mission will continue to engage and strengthen the partnership with the IAEA.
The Mission took the opportunity to thank the IAEA for the sponsorship of Luke to complete the Master’s Program in Medical Physics, and for the donation of five pieces of mammography equipment.
The Government of Guyana has expressed deep gratitude to the International Atomic Energy Agency for facilitating this invaluable opportunity. The Mission has expressed its gratitude to Surujpaul for the liaison work she did with the IAEA to make the sponsorship possible, and expresses its gratitude to the Honorable Ministers of Health and Public Service for ensuring that Luke was released to pursue studies.
Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony gave his complete support and endorsement, and the Minister of Public Service at the time, Sonia Parag, ensured that Javin was released to pursue his studies abroad.
The Mission congratulates Javin Luke, and wishes him a successful career as a Medical Physicist.
