By Royan Abrams
A substantial investment of 97 million dollars has been dedicated to installing a cutting-edge digital x-ray machine at Fort Wellington Hospital in Region Five.
This state-of-the-art equipment replaces the outdated analogue machine, promising enhanced efficiency and reliability for more than 4,000 residents in the region.
During the commissioning ceremony, Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony affirmed the government’s commitment to advancing the nation’s healthcare sector.
He highlighted that the new digital x-ray machine emits lower radiation levels compared to traditional models, significantly reducing potential harm to patients over time.
Dr. Anthony emphasized that alongside improving diagnostic capabilities, the installation of approximately 15 digital machines across various health facilities nationwide marks a strategic effort to upgrade medical services uniformly across all ten administrative regions.
Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh echoed these sentiments, stating that the government aims to establish a world-class healthcare system accessible to every Guyanese citizen, regardless of their location.
He outlined the comprehensive nature of the 97-million-dollar investment, which includes the digital x-ray machine itself costing over 19.7 million dollars.
Additional expenditures covered upgrades such as UPS and PDU systems costing 16 million dollars, 40 million dollars for retrofitting the room housing the analogue machine, and 18 million dollars for enhancing the electrical system.
The introduction of this advanced diagnostic tool represents a significant stride towards achieving comprehensive healthcare coverage and modernizing medical services in Region Five.