Michelle Samuda-Forskin (left), diagnostic radiographer, shows the result of a CAT scan done during Wednesday's opening of the CAT scan room at the Andrews Memorial Hospital, in St. Andrew. Looking on attentively is Pastor Patrick Allen (centre), chairman of Andrews Memorial Hospital, and Health Minister Horace Dalley. - Contributed

Health Minister Horace Dalley has put on notice persons who privately-run diagnostic centres and refuse to honour their commitment to Government to take in public patients.

Mr. Dalley issued the warning Wednesday while officially opening a CAT scan room at the Andrews Memorial Hospital on Hope Road in St. Andrew.

The Health Minister disclosed that the Government has, to date, rolled over some $700 million in taxes since the programme was put in place in the 1990s.

He said that, while some diagnostic centres were honouring their obligations, some were very defiant.

"Some of the diagnostic centres for which we have forgone the taxes have not been living up to their obligations, meaning that it is difficult to get patients to go there," he said.

Obligations to be reinforced

He said he would be summoning these persons to a meeting very shortly to discuss or reinforce their obligations.

"There is one specific one," he said. "It is like pulling teeth when we are to send a patient there even though, that specific one, we have deferred almost $20 million worth of duties."

Meanwhile, Mr. Dalley also gave a commitment to overhaul the health sector under his watch.

"During my watch, I intend to have all the basic and modern diagnostic equipment placed in all the major hospitals," he said. "One of the things I am aiming to do is to reduce the cost by having the facilities in the Government hospitals."

Meanwhile, Patrick Rutherford, president and chief executive officer at the Andrews Memorial Hospital, said the new equipment, which was purchased at a cost of US$160,000, would greatly enhance the service provided by the hospital.

"We used to have to send patients out to other facilities to have CAT scans done, especially our in-patients," he said. "Now that the facility is here, we now just have to wheel them down from their beds to here, so it is a lot less hassle for the sick person."