Gov’t Invests $700 Million to Purchase Diagnostic and Other Equipment for Hospitals
MINISTER OF Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, says that the Government has invested $700 million to purchase diagnostic and other medical equipment for three hospitals across the island.
These are Spanish Town Regional Hospital in St. Catherine; St. Ann’s Bay Hospital, St. Ann; and the May Pen Hospital in Clarendon.
To be facilitated under the Health Services Support Project funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), this investment will see the purchase of three CT scan machines, three X-ray machines, dental equipment, and machinery for operating theatres at the facilities.
Minister Tufton, in a statement in the House of Representatives on November 10, said that the acquisition of the diagnostic equipment will speed up the process for assessment and treatment of patients at hospitals, thereby reducing extended stay and overcrowding.
He noted that one of the main issues that affect service delivery at public health facilities is the lack of appropriate infrastructure to enable clinicians to access information in a timely manner, to assess and diagnose illnesses and devise the appropriate treatment.
“This delay impacts several aspects of the healthcare delivery, specifically bed-stay-time in hospital. This then, of course, has a ripple effect and impacts the turnover rate of beds and ultimately contributes to overcrowding,” he added.
Dr. Tufton assured that, over time, the Government intends to equip the country’s hospitals with the basic minimum diagnostic equipment.