February 12, 2025
The Linden Hospital Complex is now equipped with its first mammography machine, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday.
This marks the beginning of a national effort to expand breast cancer screening services across Guyana, with three additional machines set to be installed in New Amsterdam, Suddie, and Lethem hospitals.
During the commissioning, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, commended the Women on The Move NGO for their role in advancing cancer awareness and support programs in Region Ten.
The Minister emphasized that breast cancer remains one of the country’s chronic diseases, and the new machines will increase access to early detection and reduce the need for patients to travel to Georgetown for screening.
Previously, Guyana had only one mammography machine, located at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), making screening expensive and inconvenient for women in outlying areas.
The Ministry of Health now aims to install mammography machines in every region, ensuring routine screening becomes more accessible and preventative.
Dr. Anthony highlighted the urgency of early diagnosis, noting that many women seek treatment only after cancer has metastasized, limiting the effectiveness of intervention.
With the newly commissioned machine, women in Region Ten aged 40 and above are encouraged to access routine screenings to improve early detection rates.
Judy Gravesande, founder of Women on The Move, expressed gratitude to the Health Minister for fulfilling a commitment made 15 months ago.
She underscored the NGO’s role in raising awareness and addressing the psychological and social aspects of cancer, noting that many women were once hesitant to publicly acknowledge their diagnoses.
Medical Superintendent Dr. Trevlon Braithwaite and Senior Radiographer Coretta Whyte described the new machine as a symbol of hope, reinforcing the importance of early detection in saving lives and improving healthcare quality.
The commissioning was attended by Regional Health Officer Dr. Gregory Harris, Vice Chairman Mark Goring, and officials from the Linden Hospital Complex and the Ministry of Health.
This initiative represents a major step forward in Guyana’s fight against breast cancer, with efforts underway to ensure equal access to critical diagnostic services nationwide.