“New league” of healthcare as $26M X-ray machine commissioned at Linden Hospital

…Govt training 1500 nurses; another 3000 on the cards

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Saturday commissioned a modernised X-ray machine valued at $26M at the Linden Hospital, allowing for faster diagnosis and treatment of patients brought to the facility.
A Siemens X-ray machine, considered one of the best on the market, has been installed at the Region 10 hospital and health workers have been trained to use the new equipment. The machine produces digital imagery using X-ray scans, where doctors can examine and interpret the results on any screen. It can also be sent to other departments in a digital file.
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony voiced, “This is one of the best X-ray machines that is on the market. It is one of the top-quality X-ray machines in the world. This is moving us in another league because of the machine and the quality of X-rays that we will be able to take.”
A special room has also been set aside within the complex for a mammogram machine to be installed, allowing for persons to get screened for breast cancer. The Health Minister also added that a new ultrasound machine and another to test blood gases have also been installed.

“Very soon, you will have your own mammogram machine. We have already started preparing the room for that…We had a very primitive ultrasound and one of the things we have done is give this hospital a modern ultrasound machine.”
He added, “There are many more pieces of equipment that you have in the lab costing millions of dollars. We’re equipping the lab to become a modern lab.”
Upgrades to the medical facility include the development of a landing pad for medevacs.
During the commissioning ceremony, the hospital also received an ambulance.
Meanwhile, President Ali revealed, “Today, with this capacity, we are now building a relationship with top doctors in India, Mount Sinai, Canada and instantaneously, these results are connected to specialists across the world who can give us second opinion and specialised opinion. That is what we’re doing, building tomorrow today.”
Ali remarked that in building out a proper healthcare system, it is not only about tending to the needs of Guyana, but creating institutions that are recognised and utilised regionally.
“The Government of Guyana is supporting more than 1500 nurses being trained across all Guyana. We’re building the infrastructure that we have the capacity to train at least 3000 nurses simultaneously all across Guyana. We want to create a health service provision hub here for the region and further afield,” he disclosed.
In the last 18 months, the President reminded that Government has adjusted the salaries of healthcare workers between 27 and 75 per cent. Ali added that Government is working on a special programme to ensure that health workers own their homes in improving the standard of living for those in the sector and beyond. (G12)