Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony yesterday handed over a number of Portable and Fixed Ultrasound Machines along with Digital X-ray Viewing Stations to Regional Health Officers for Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), and Five (Mahaica-West Berbice).
A release from the Ministry of Health said that Region Three received two Fixed Digital X-ray Machines valued at $26.8M, along with an X-ray Viewing Station worth $1M.
One Portable Digital X-ray Machine was handed over to Region Four at a cost of $3.5M, with a Digital X-ray Viewing Station costing to $500,000. Region Five received one Fixed and one Portable Digital X-ray Machine valued at $16.9M, with a $500,000 Digital X-ray Viewing Station.
Anthony highlighted the Ministry of Health’s intention to upgrade healthcare services in Guyana by replacing all Analogue X-ray Machines with Digital Machines and providing both Portable and Fixed Ultrasound Devices to all regions. He announced that the Ministry will soon be launching a training programme for Ultrasound Technicians.
“We are also starting a training programme for Ultrasound Technician, this will be done by Mohawk College in Canada, 16 persons have already (been) identified from different regions to be trained for the first batch. Ultrasounds are mostly done by doctors, and training these technicians, will free up the doctor’s time,” Dr Anthony stated.
