Tag: Region 1

$60M GE digital X-ray system commissioned at Kumaka District Hospital

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

Diagnostic services in Region One have been significantly strengthened with the commissioning of a $60 million GE digital X-ray system at the Kumaka District Hospital on Saturday.

The installation marks a major advancement from the outdated analogue, film-based equipment that had been used for decades.

“For many years, we struggled with old X-ray equipment, some as old as 25 to 30 years, which relied on films and darkroom processing. We therefore made a deliberate decision to phase out all analogue X-ray units and standardise modern digital systems across the country,” Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony said at the commissioning ceremony.

The Ministry has adopted Siemens, Philips, and GE as national standards for digital radiography, citing reliability and high imaging quality. The GE unit installed at Kumaka is regarded as one of the top systems now in use, a release from the Ministry said.

Significant infrastructural and electrical upgrades were completed to support the installation. “These systems are extremely sensitive and require stable power. We installed specialised electrical wiring, voltage stabilisers, backup power systems, and a modern generator, ensuring that the X-ray service remains operational even during power outages,” Dr. Anthony said.

Staff are undergoing training to operate and manage the advanced system. “We are training the team here to fully operate and manage the system. Once the unit is fully operational, patients will no longer need to leave the sub-region for X-rays. The images produced will be of the highest quality,” he stated.

The Ministry will also install a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) to allow digital images to be transmitted to radiologists in Georgetown for rapid interpretation. “This capability ensures that doctors here can access specialist support whenever needed. It significantly improves diagnostic accuracy and patient care,” the Minister added.

Dr. Anthony said the Ministry is piloting an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system for automated X-ray interpretation at the Enmore Regional Hospital. “There are AI systems today that can interpret X-rays with up to 99% accuracy. If our pilot proves successful, we intend to expand this technology to other hospitals, including Kumaka, allowing AI to assist in reading X-rays and other imaging studies,” he said.

Regional Vice Chairman Paul Pierre welcomed the investment, saying it reflects a wider effort to improve healthcare in remote areas. “I can tell you that the number of health facilities built in some of our most remote areas tells a powerful story. We continue to see meaningful development and it shows that the Guyana Government is serious about making healthcare accessible to all the people of Region One,” Pierre said.

He added that the regional health system has improved significantly over the past decade. “We recognise that health services have improved significantly over the years, and I can assure you that they will continue to improve,” he said. Pierre noted that a large share of the proposed regional budget is dedicated to training and expanding the health workforce. “That alone demonstrates that we have a bright future in healthcare.”

Pierre also thanked the Ministry and its partners for their continued efforts. “Health is important. Without good health, there isn’t much to look forward to. We are seeing real progress, and under this government, we can look forward to a stronger, more resilient health system and a more resilient country,” he said.

Rawle Hendricks, Toshao of Santa Rosa Village, also praised the upgrades and said residents are anticipating the commissioning of the Moruca Regional Hospital in 2027.

Those attending the ceremony included Dr. Steven Cheefoon, Regional Health Officer; Michael Gouveia, Senior Operations Manager; and Ms. Elaine LaRose, Hospital Administrator, along with other medical staff of the Kumaka District Hospital.

Minister Anthony speaks at the commissioning

Boats commissioned to improve access to healthcare, other services in Region One

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

Residents of remote riverine communities in Region One will now benefit from improved access to healthcare and essential public services, following the commissioning of three boats and engines during a simple ceremony held on Tuesday at Kumaka.

The commissioning was spearheaded by Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal, who was accompanied by Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley, Deputy Regional Executive Officer Shem Cuffy, and other regional officials.

Two of the boats have been assigned to the Regional Health Department to serve the Mabaruma and Matarkai sub-regions. One vessel, valued at $7.4 million and equipped with a 150-horsepower engine, was procured under the Ministry of Health’s 2024 budget.

The second, costing $5.1 million and outfitted with a 75-horsepower engine, was acquired through the 2024 budget of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

Minister Croal, who is the parliamentary representative of the region, explained that the new vessels will play a crucial role in improving healthcare delivery by supporting emergency medical responses, facilitating outreach services, and ensuring timely delivery of medication and medical supplies to interior villages.

“For routine checks, we don’t have to wait for persons to visit hospitals or health centres,” Minister Croal noted. “We can now conduct outreaches—whether for dental care or other services—and ensure medical supplies are promptly transported to the villages.”

He also reiterated the government’s commitment to expanding healthcare infrastructure in the region, including investments in telemedicine services and the deployment of qualified medical personnel.

The third boat, valued at $7.6 million and powered by a 200-horsepower engine, was also funded through the RDC and will be used to support administrative functions across the region.

Regional Chairman Ashley noted that the boat will enhance the ability of regional officers to monitor and assist communities effectively.

“I’m very pleased that we are now able to improve the level of services offered by the RDC to the people of Region One,” Ashley stated.

UNHCR donates three boat engines to improve health access in Region 1

Posted on by Editor

Health services in Region 1, is expected to get a significant boost with the donations of three new boat engines to improve transportation capabilities in that location. The Ministry of Health received the valuable donation from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Guyana. 

The engines were officially handed over by Adriana Negry, Head of the National Office, to Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony during a brief ceremony Wednesday.

In a public announcement, the ministry said that the donation is aimed at improving access to healthcare services in Region One. “These engines will play a critical role in enhancing transportation and emergency response capabilities.” Accepting the donation on behave of the Region was Dr. Steven Cheefoon, Regional Health Officer (RHO).  The announcement said that the UNHCR commended the government’s efforts to ensure universal access to basic services, especially for the most vulnerable population groups.

The UNHCR is United Nations agency mandated to aid and protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people, and to assist in their voluntary repatriation, local integration or resettlement to a third country.