GETTING a prognosis for a patient will be easier for doctors at the Skeldon Hospital, which has been outfitted with a new, modern laboratory facility.

In the past, residents of Corriverton and Skeldon had to travel to New Amsterdam or Georgetown to get their tests done, but that burden has been relieved.

The laboratory will fill the gap which existed at the hospital and in the region, said Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, during her remarks at the commissioning of the facility on Thursday.

Minister Lawrence made reference to a World Health Organisation (WHO) study which showed that a clinical laboratory provides the information required by physicians to better administer treatment.

“They provide vital information to clinicians who make decisions which affect the quality of life,” said the minister, adding that persons can now visit the hospital with confidence. The new laboratory complements the recently-rehabilitated maternity and paedeatric wards.
Persons were often referred to the New Amsterdam Hospital or a private institution to have lab tests done.

This was a financial burden to many persons who could not afford to access those services privately.

“Sometimes we miss the bus in terms of what is provided nationally through tax… people who come here most times do not have finances to go to the private hospital. Having the lab releases that financial burden and it also means that the confidence in the hospital will now grow because persons know that they can access services right in their community,” said Minister Lawrence.

The patients will not be the only beneficiaries, as doctors will also get to use their skills more efficiently and effectively to serve patients.

Doctor-in-Charge of the Skeldon Hospital, Dr. Ryan Campbell, said the hospital offers services to over 43,000 people.

Minister Lawrence said those people have a lot more to benefit from as this is only the beginning of a continuous process of development.

Regional Executive Officer of Region Six (East Berbice- Corentyne), Kim Stephens, in giving a breakdown of the spending, noted that $5 million was spent on equipment while $1.8 million was spent on the rehabilitation of the facility.