Dr. Tamesh Algu, Head of the Surgical Unit, NAPH; Dr. Joel Joseph, Radiology Resident, GPHC; Ms. Petal Surujpaul, Physicist at the GPHC; Dr. Vasanna Henry, Medical Superintendent, NAPH; and Dr. Vishalya Sharma, RHO, Region Six.
Patients needing diagnostic treatment aided by Computerized
Tomography (CT) scans in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) can now breathe a sigh of
relief knowing that equipment has been installed and is ready to use at the New Amsterdam
Public Hospital (NAPH).
The CT scans, being offered free of cost, will bring great relief to residents in nearby areas
who were previously forced to travel elsewhere to seek this type of radio technology service.
The installation of the equipment follows a recent visit to the Hospital by Minister of Health,
Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony, who committed to taking immediate steps to improve health
services in the Region as a whole and at the NAPH, as well as at other healthcare institutions
in area, in particular.
Dr. Vishalya Sharma, Regional Health Officer (RHO) of the Region Six, emphasised the
importance of having such a critical piece of equipment functioning at the Hospital. “CT scan
machines are used in the diagnosis of illnesses like muscle and bone disorders, such as bone
tumours and fractures. It pinpoints the location of a tumour, infection, or blood clot to guide
doctors for the next procedures,” she explained.
Dr. Sharma is optimistic that the availability of the machine will save many patients from
spending a lot on traveling to Georgetown to seek medical care, either at public or private
health institutions.
According to the newly appointed RHO, RAD-AID International, in 2016, handed over the
new CT scanner, valued at approximately US$200,000, to the then Ministry of Public Health,
but the equipment was never installed and operationalised.
Dr. Sharma expressed thanks to the various technical and other support teams which have
worked assiduously to ensure that all the necessary specifications were met and that the
machine became fully functional.
“The Ministry of Health thanks RAD-AID International, Dr. ZulfiKarBux, Head of Accident
and Emergency, and Dr. Fawcett Jeffrey, Director of Medical Services [both of the
Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC)], and the Public Works Department of the Regional
Democratic Council of Region Six. A big thank you also to the team from Radiology
Services in Georgetown and New Amsterdam,” said Dr. Sharma.
We cannot over-emphasized the importance of team work in health services delivery, and this
is one example of why it remains critical in our field, she added.
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