10 CT scan machines coming for local hospitals – Dr Tufton

WESTERN BUREAU:

HEALTH AND Wellness Minister, Dr Christopher Tufton, says plans are under way to secure 10 computed tomography scanners or CT scan machines to ease the shortage at several hospitals across the island.

A CT scan machine is a medical imaging device that uses X-rays to create detailed, cross-sectional images of the body.Speaking at an event at the Falmouth General Hospital, in Trelawny, last Friday, Tufton said:

“There is a leasing arrangement that we are now finalising that will see 10 CT scans being leased and placed in the health system,” said Tufton. The health minister did not name the hospitals to benefit nor the timeline for when the CT scan machines would be installed. “(I’m) not sure if one is slated for Falmouth but I will check and see.”

He said however that having the machines in place is just a part of the equation, as getting the requisite personnel to operate the machine needs to be factored in as well.

“The way CT scans work has to do with the categorisation of the hospital, and the personnel to man the machine have to be in place,” said Tufton.

St Andrade Sinclair, the regional director Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA), meanwhile expressed delight at news of the proposed access to the scanners.

“This is good news for the health system. The one at Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) is up and running,” said Sinclair. “We see over 15 patients per day. However, any addition of equipment that improves the quality of healthcare delivery is welcomed news.”

A local doctor familiar with the operation of CT machines elaborated on the value of the devices.

“A CT scan is different from X-ray. CT scan produces images of tissues. It can detect cancers all over the body while an X-ray deals with images of broken bones,” the doctor said.

A woman, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment at CRH, says she is hoping that the Montego Bay-based hospital will get at least one of the CT scan machines.

“I went to CRH recently to have a CT scan done and I was told that the battery was not working,” the woman said. “It cost me $80;000.00 to have it done at a referred institution.”

In recent times, some patients have been sceptical of pronouncements from hospital authorities that various equipments are out of service. Some hint that these individuals have ties to entities providing private service, which is quite costly.

“I don’t trust these people. You will hear in the media that the machines are working but when you go to the hospital, they tell you they are not working,” one man shared of his experience. “I believe the system is exploiting us by forcing us to go the more expensive option route,” he told The Gleaner.