Horace Dalley (right), Minister of Health, converses with Vincent Edwards (left), during a tour of the Kingston Public Hospital, yesterday. Looking on is Donald Farquharson, chief executive officer of the hospital. Mr. Edwards was complaining to the minister that he attempted to pay a bill using some coins and the cashier refused to accept the money. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer.

The Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) is to receive a CT scan machine and an MRI machine, among other equipment in anticipation of high levels of motor vehicle collisions during World Cup Cricket, according to Dr. Trevor McCartney, senior medical officer at the facility.

KPH, the major referral hospital in the island, currently operates without an MRI or CT scan machine.

A computed tomography (CT) scan uses X-rays to make detailed pictures of structures inside of the body. An MRI (or magnetic resonance imaging) scan is a radiology technique that uses magnetism, radio waves, and a computer to produce images of body structures.

"The need for a CT scan and MRI cannot be overemphasised and with the imperative visit of a large number of persons ... to World Cup (Cricket) 2007 (and) with the tremendous traffic on our roads, we anticipate the need to have CT and MRI for those unfortunate persons who may suffer injuries in motor vehicle accidents," Dr. McCartney said yesterday, following a tour of the hospital.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Health, Horace Dalley, announced that the roof and flooring of the Edwina Ward, which has not been used for a number of years, would be repaired at a cost of $5.4 million. He noted that funds for the 56-bed facility would come from the National Health Fund (NHF). Work is expected to begin in another two to four months.

Equipment ordered

The Ministry of Health has ordered equipment valued at US$8.9 million. Of the four CT scans that were ordered, KPH will receive one and the others will be placed in other hospitals across the island.

Mr. Dalley also told reporters that a new Cobalt machine, which is used to treat cancer patients is also to be purchased. The single unit at the facility is utilised by 60 patients each day.

Mr. Dalley expressed disappointment that some patients at the KPH are forced to wait between six and nine months for renal dialysis treatment.

The dialysis unit currently has 16 machines and Mr. Dalley said his ministry intends to double the capacity so that more patients could be seen daily. Currently about 30 patients are seen each day. Dr. McCartney said the machine has the capacity to run for 24 hours, but there is a shortage of specialist nurses to run the shifts. There should be 30 nurses in the unit and currently only five are available each day.