The Suddie Public Hospital is now equipped with a new $35 million state-of-the-art digital X-ray machine. The machine was commissioned by Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, Friday last.
The machine will significantly reduce travelling costs to residents while giving faster diagnoses and reducing the number of transfer cases.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the minister said that the images taken from the machine will be stored on a hard drive which can later be retrieved.
The digital machine is the first of its kind in the region. Anthony said that whenever a patient has an X-ray done, that image can be transferred easily from any smartphone.
He added that the machine will boost the delivery of healthcare in the region as it is expected to be available and accessible 24/7. Three persons, according to Anthony, were trained to use the machine.
The minister explained that it cost the Government, through the Ministry of Health, $50.5m to upgrade the X-ray department at Suddie. Anthony further informed the audience at the commissioning ceremony that the Ministry of Health has embarked on a project to replace 14 analogue machines and replace these with digital X-ray machines.
Speaking on behalf of Region Two, Regional Vice Chairman, Humace Oodit said that cost was a major factor which influenced government’s decision to proceed with the procurement and installation of the machine as many persons could not afford the travel to the city, which also included stayovers, and as such the investment was made.
Regional Health Officer, Dr. Ranieev Singh said that many patients in the region have already benefitted from the machine. He said that the Siemens machine is one of the best.
