An expanded range of free medical tests are now available at the Mahaicony Diagnostic Centre and Fort Wellington Hospital, eliminating the need for residents of Region Five to travel to Georgetown.
According to a Department of Public Information (DPI) press release, this benefit is now possible since the number of medical technologists employed in the region has increased to 14 with another five currently in training. As a result, more than 77,000 medical laboratory tests are now done each year compared to only 12,000 tests in 2011, when just two technologists were employed.
Medical Laboratories Manager Muniram Balgobin, who has worked in the region for eight years, said the progress in this particular area is not without its challenges. However, 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,” Balgobin was quoted as saying.
He was at the time sharing his concerns with Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence and Minister within the Ministry Dr Karen Cummings, who visited health facilities in the region recently.
The Medical Laboratories Manager envisions the service delivery being maximised to ensure every person obtaining the service in the region has full access to laboratory services.
“We are offering at Mahaicony Hospital, 24-hour 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,” he added.
According to the DPI, of the five staff being trained, four will be placed at the Fort Wellington Hospital while one will remain at Mahaicony. In addition, the ministry has been asked to ensure that with the expansion in services, the requisite machines and equipment to have tests done are provided.
