$136M Digital X-Ray System Commissioned at Lenora Cottage Hospital

 President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, His Excellency Mohamed Irfaan Ali, along with Minister of Health,  Dr. Frank Anthony, today commissioned a new state-of-the-art digital X-ray system at the Lenora Cottage Hospital in Region Three (Essequibo Islands–West Demerara).

The digital X-ray unit, valued at $53 million, is a high-resolution GE generator FlashPad system. Supporting infrastructure to facilitate its installation and operation was constructed at an estimated cost of $83 million, bringing the total investment to $136 million.

The commissioning represents a significant expansion of access to high-quality diagnostic services for residents of Lenora and surrounding communities. The new system delivers advanced digital imaging with AI-enhanced performance, improved accuracy, and simplified clinical workflows.

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, Emergency Consultant and Doctor-in-Charge of Lenora Cottage Hospital, welcomed the commissioning of the new digital X-ray system, describing it as a critical upgrade to patient care and service delivery.

She explained that X-ray services at the hospital had become increasingly unreliable due to repeated operational challenges, and in late 2024 the previous unit was fully decommissioned. As a result, patients were required to seek X-ray services at the West Demerara Regional Hospital and, more recently, the De Kinderen Regional Hospital.

“With this new machine, we can now offer X-ray services as part of a true ‘one-stop shop’ for our patients,” Dr. Luke-Blyden said. “This significantly improves efficiency, convenience, and overall patient experience.”

She also outlined the advantages of digital imaging over the previous analogue system, noting that images can now be reviewed immediately after they are taken, reducing delays in diagnosis and 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.”

Community members also welcomed the development. A Lenora resident, Budnarine, praised the government’s efforts, noting that the new service will spare residents the need to travel long distances for diagnostic imaging.

“This is a good thing the government did here today; now we don’t have to travel far to get an X-ray done,” he said.

Similarly, Bibi Yasmin Singh of Zeelugt described the initiative as a positive move that will ease the financial burden on residents who previously had to spend on transportation to access X-ray services at other hospitals in the region.

The commissioning at Lenora follows a similar milestone achieved just last week, when the Minister of Health commissioned a digital X-ray system at the Kumaka Hospital in Region One (Barima–Waini), marking that institution’s first digital X-ray unit.