President Ali commissions $136M digital X-ray system at Leonora Hospital

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Friday commissioned a $136 million digital X-ray system at the Leonora Hospital.  As part of a two-day outreach in the region, President Ali, accompanied by Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony, visited the facility on Friday to formally unveil the system.
According to the Ministry of Health, the digital x-ray unit, valued at $53M, is a high resolution GE generator FlashPad system. Supporting infrastructure, to facilitate its installation and operation, was constructed at about $83M, bringing the total investment to $136M, it added.

Addressing stakeholders, healthcare professionals, and community members at the ceremony, Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony emphasised that the newly installed system ranks among the best globally and is fully supported by critical infrastructure, including a reliable battery system, generator, stable power supply, and modern ancillary equipment.
“This is a very good machine,” Dr Anthony stated. “We now have the battery system, the generator, the power, and the equipment in place to ensure consistent and reliable service delivery.”
The Minister noted that the introduction of in-house digital X-ray services eliminates the financial and administrative challenges previously associated with outsourcing diagnostic imaging. As a result, costs have been reduced, and efficiency within the public healthcare system has been significantly improved.
Dr Anthony further highlighted the streamlined patient-care process enabled by the new system. Authorised personnel can now grant approvals quickly, allowing patients to receive their diagnostic results promptly and proceed directly to physicians or referral hospitals for timely follow-up and treatment.

“This is the kind of science that we do,” the Minister said. “It represents a major step forward in how healthcare is delivered.”
Dr Zelda Luke Blyden, the doctor-in-charge at Leonora Hospital, explained to the DPI that the new machine is replacing the decommissioned analogue system in August. This means that X-ray services have been restored for thousands of residents living in the region.
“With this service, patients will now have comprehensive care in terms of having radiology care or x-ray services readily available to them,” she said.
She added that with the new digital system, patients will benefit from faster diagnoses and better treatment.
One of the major benefits is that patients are no longer repeatedly exposed to radiation due to retakes,” she explained. “Digital imaging allows adjustments to be made electronically to improve image quality.”
Additionally, the system enables real-time review of images by radiologists and external specialists when required, which is particularly beneficial in emergency situations.
“This significantly expedites diagnosis and treatment,” Dr. Luke-Blyden said. “Ultimately, this digital X-ray machine represents a major advancement in the quality of care we provide to our patients.”
According to the Health Minister, the modern diagnostic equipment will significantly enhance imaging services, reduce waiting times, and improve patient care for residents of Region Three and surrounding communities as it advances the Govt’s commitment to accessible healthcare for all Guyanese.

The Department of Public Information (DPI) in a report, spoke with several patients who were at the hospital about the impact it will have on their livelihoods.
Merl Parkinson, a pensioner, told the DPI that because he was “totally blind… to move from here to go to Georgetown, it’s… fatiguing.” For this reason, he said the new system is an asset that will provide great help to people like himself, his family members and the wider Region Three community.
“I think this is a great move that President Ali and the Government of this country have made to enhance the operations of this institution, which, over the years, I have been advocating for,” he said.
Lynette (only name given) noted that normally she had to pay $2500 in taxi fare to visit the West Demerara Hospital to access its X-ray services. Now, she will no longer have to pay this fee, since the services are being offered at the Leonora Hospital.