Devon Evans, Gleaner Writer
JUNOR
OCHO RIOS, St. Ann:
MINISTER OF Health John Junor is encouraging local entrepreneurs to consider the health sector as a viable area for investment.
He said the health care sector now offers great potential for investment both in the provision of services and the training of professionals.
Speaking at the official opening of the Island Radiology Centre in Ocho Rios recently, Mr. Junor said the centre represents a good investment which will widen the choice for patient care.
The minister said radiology is a crucial area in medicine that is in high demand and said that with the health sector now ripe for investment, he would welcome the establishment of similar centres across the island.
The Island Radiology Centre offers ultrasound services along with fluoroscope, computer-ised/computed tomography (CT or CATscan) and plain x-ray films.
Mr. Junor said the centre will help to improve the quality of care for people in St. Ann and the neighbouring parishes by way of speedier results, which will enable speedier health action.
He said that although the state-of-the-art facility was expensive to establish, the operators have agreed to offer special rates to patients referred from the St. Ann's Bay Hospital who cannot afford the full fee for CT scanning.
Describing the offer as an indication of Island Radiology's commitment to the citizens of St. Ann, Mr. Junor said: "The special consideration given to patients referred from the St. Ann's Bay Hospital also speaks to the public-private partnership essential for the growth of the health sector. I hope soon patients from St. Mary will be able to benefit from similar arrangements".
Also speaking at the function, Mayor of St. Ann's Bay, Councillor Delroy Giscombe, said top-class medical facilities such as Island Radiology will save many people the expense of travelling overseas for similar services.
Mayor Giscombe said the centre also serves as an added feature to the tourism product in Ocho Rios.
