$56M in diagnostic equipment arrives for the health sector

For the first time, mammography screening for cancer will be available at Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC) with the delivery of the first shipment of diagnostic machines for the nation’s public health facilities. They were presented to Health Minister John Rahael yesterday at the Stores Section of EWMSC, Mt Hope.

Rahael described the mammography machine as one of the “most important” pieces of equipment which arrived. He said four others are expected and three of them will be able to do biopsies. Yesterday’s shipment cost between $8-$10 million, and also includes three general X-rays,  three mobile X-rays, and two C-arm machines (used during surgery). The nine pieces of equipment are from a total shipment of 34 which is costing the Government $56 million. Most of the equipment will be based at Mt Hope, but Port-of-Spain and San Fernando General Hospitals as well as Sangre Grande and Scarborough Hospitals are expected to benefit. More diagnostic machines will be arriving over the next three months.

Asked why it took over a year for the equipment to begin arriving, Rahael said the project was initially to be funded through a German bank, but there were problems. Although the equipment was ordered “some time ago,” Rahael said a letter of credit was only established in December. Funding was raised through local banks. He told the media the Ministry is seeking “value for money” by having “proper servicing contracts for each unit which will give us the lifespan we should get.” Under the agreement with the supplier, Siemens of Germany, there is a five-year warranty and servicing clause. “If anything goes wrong with any of the equipment, Siemens and their agents in Trinidad will replace any part and ensure that equipment is well maintained while we continue to train our people.” The company can be liable for the cost of servicing if they do not respond to requests by a “particular time.” The CT Scan will be based at EWMSC and it will also have a warranty.

Rahael said the RHAs have been asked to identify areas to house the equipment so the infrastructure can be in place and machines can be operational one week after they are installed. Apart from diagnostic equipment, machines for neonatal units at maternity departments will be ordered. Rahael said they are now being identified to be ordered this week, and flown in by the end of this month. While he did not have the details, Rahael said the list of equipment is comprehensive because it takes into consideration recommendations from the Pan American Health Organisation and Dr Petronella Manning.  PAHO conducted a study of neonatal units in TT while Dr Manning investigated the neonatal unit at Mt Hope Women’s Hospital after the reappearance of enterobacter bacteria.

Asked if the Ministry would use any of the recommendations for equipment made by the San Fernando Hospital Doctors’ Association, Rahael said he has received “quite a number” of recommendations from various stakeholders including the doctors. “I am paying attention to all of them and I will be meeting with all of them,” Rahael said. Deo Prashad, chief radiographer at the Radiography Department, EWMSC, said the supply of new X-ray machines was “a long time coming.” He said the X-rays in service frequently broke down. “Many times we have to reschedule patients when things go wrong.” He said the new X-rays will improve service. Prashad said the X-rays which arrived are replacements but they are more modern, efficient and faster.