–training for ultrasound technicians to begin soon

THE Ministry of Health on Friday handed over imaging equipment to the tune of $45.5 million to the health departments of Regions Three, Four and Five to further improve the services being offered to the public.

At the handing over ceremony, which occurred at the ministry’s Brickdam office, Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony stated that the ministry has been working over the years to improve the quality of imaging services across the country.

This, he noted, has been done by providing digital x-rays and other equipment as they continue to phase out the use of analog equipment.

As part of Friday’s handing over, it was noted that two ultrasound machines will be going to Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), one to Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and two to Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).

“These portable machines, we can take them out when we are doing various types of outreaches, and it would assist us to give better diagnosis,” the minister explained.

He said that while this is being done for these three regions, the ministry has also procured additional machines for other regions, so that all can benefit from having new equipment.

Further to this, Dr. Anthony said that a training programme for ultrasound technicians will be done with the Mohawk College in Canada.

“We have already identified 16 persons from all regions. So, as it is right now, ultrasounds are done by doctors, and what we want to do now is train technicians to do ultrasounds, so we can free up the doctors,” he said.

Meanwhile, Regional Health Officer for Region Four Dr. Gavinash Persaud welcomed the move, and the effort to expand the quality of care and services, and indicated that the equipment will be put to use immediately at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre.

Added to this, the Region Five RHO, Dr. Theresa Sarju said that it will add to the institutions’ care, but specifically noted that the portable ultrasound will add to the region’s capacity to go into remote areas and provide better services for the communities there.