Free CT scans at New Amsterdam Hospital

– as US$200,000 CT scanner installed

Patients of East Berbice- Corentyne (Region Six) no longer have to travel to Georgetown to receive diagnostic treatment from a Computerised Tomography (CT) scan machine as the equipment which was acquired in 2016 was this week installed at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

The CT scans are being offered free of cost. The installation of the equipment followed a recent visit to the Hospital by Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, who committed to taking immediate steps to improve health services in the Region.

Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr. Vishalya Sharma described the installation of the machine as “critical” and timely.

“CT scan machines are used in the diagnosis of illnesses like muscle and bone disorders, such as bone tumours and fractures. It pinpoints the location of a tumour, infection, or blood clot to guide doctors for the next procedures,” she explained.

Dr. Sharma is optimistic that the availability of the machine will save many patients from spending a lot on traveling to Georgetown to seek medical care, either at public or private health institutions.

The RHO said that RAD-AID International, in 2016, handed over the new CT scanner, valued at approximately US$200,000, to the then Ministry of Public Health, but the equipment was never installed.

“The Ministry of Health thanks RAD-AID International, Dr. ZulfiKarBux, Head of Accident and Emergency, and Dr. Fawcett Jeffrey, Director of Medical Services [both of the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC)], and the Public Works Department of the Regional Democratic Council of Region Six. A big thank you also to the team from Radiology Services in Georgetown and New Amsterdam,” Dr. Sharma said.

Meanwhile, following a series of complaints against hospitals in Region Six, a Regional Hospital Review Committee was formed to investigate and assess the situation of the public institutions.

That team which consists of five members, Dr. Amarnauth Dukhie, Head of the Neurosurgery Department of the Georgetown Hospital and Chairman of the Committee; Dr. Karen Boyle, Deputy Chief Medical Officer; Dr. Fawcett Jeffrey, Medical Director of the Georgetown Public Hospital; Ms. Nalinie Dass, Chief Nursing Officer (ACT) and Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo, Director General at the Ministry of Health visited the New Amsterdam Hospital on September 14 and reviewed the standard operating procedures there. The findings of their investigation was presented to the Minister of Health last week.

Dr. Dukhie had committed to a thorough investigation into the operation of the  so that the service provided can be of a high standard.