WITH 14 medical technologists on hand, persons can undergo medical tests free of cost at the Mahaicony Diagnostic Centre and Fort Wellington Hospital.

According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), more than 77,000 medical laboratory tests are done each year at the facilities in the Mahaica-Berbice region, when compared to only 12,000 tests in 2011, when just two technologists were on staff.

“We are offering at Mahaicony Hospital 24-hout ‘lab’ services every day, whether holiday or weekend. At Fort Wellington, we are aiming to do the same. With the additional staff (those in training) to come on board, we can actually put a 24-hour system in place there as well,” Medical Laboratories Manager, Muniram Balgobin said.

Balgobin, who worked in the region for eight years, said that the progress in this particular area is not without its challenges, but the commitment of the staff has resulted in progress.

“We used to offer five types of tests in the region, and now we offer more than 100 types of tests. In terms of the ‘labs’, we have been progressing; we are trying to move away, however, from manual methods, and we are trying to be more automated,” he said.

Balgobin shared his concerns with Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence and Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings, who visited health facilities in the region recently. Balgobin envisions the service delivery being maximised to ensure every person obtaining the service in the region has full access to laboratory services.

At the moment, five additional staff members are being trained, and of that number, four will be placed at the Fort Wellington Hospital, while one will remain at Mahaicony.

The DPI said that requests have been made of the ministry to ensure that with the expansion in services, there is the provision of the requisite machines and equipment to have tests done.