Grande CT scanner still breaking down

Top of the list was the non-functional CT scanner which had not been operational for months. That anomaly continues to some extent to exist to this day. It is my understanding that the scanner works, but sporadically, with the dye-injection component breaking down repeatedly.

It is the bane of cancer patients who need to have full-body scans to ascertain whether their cancer has gone into remission or not, depending on where in the body the cancer was initially located, or whether it has spread to other parts.

Drugs to treat cancer and other serious diseases have not been available for some time now, and it seems no one can say when they might become accessible. One cancer patient was told his treatment would cost about $27,000. Where could this poor man get this amount of money? Many people prefer to access the services and facilities of the Sangre Grande Hospital because of the fantastic treatment and customer service every patient receives there. Every single doctor, nurse, attendant, worker, every member of staff gives of his utmost to satisfy the needs of patients, hence the reason for having fully functioning equipment in every department at all times.

It is therefore expected that everything associated with its quality delivery of services would be taxed to the limit.

Alas, this has not been forthcoming. As such, many patients needing critical diagnoses and treatment have been turned away because the CT scanner is old, has been often breaking down, and now is almost totally down. No one can say when it will be functioning at its maximum capacity.

Word has it that the worn parts that have been removed are recycled and replaced by the people who have been contracted to do the maintenance and smooth running of the equipment. This, one would agree, is highly untenable and unacceptable if indeed this is true.

The outrageous cost of a CT scan at private institutions is upwards of $5,000, dependent on what is required.

How are the elderly like me and others financially challenged going to get the funds to pay for this? I am pleading with Deyalsingh to please look into this critical situation as soon as possible and provide us with, especially, a functioning CT scanner which would not break down during its operation, as we choose to continue to access the wonderful services of the Sangre Grande Hospital, the best hospital in our nation.

My sincere thanks to the minister, and to every member of staff at the hospital.

Eva David-Swain Sangre Grande