MONTEGO BAY, St James – The Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH), is now equipped to offer sophisticated diagnostic services following the acquisition of a multimillion-dollar high-tech CT scanner.

The scanner – handed over by Minister of Health, Horace Dalley, on Tuesday – was accompanied by a Radiology Fluoroscopy machine which will enable the Radiology Department at the hospital to conduct world class radiography services .

It cost some US$1.5 million, the minister said.

“We can’t have a hospital working without the basic tools for modern medicine,” the minister said.

Describing 2007 as a landmark year for the hospital – considering the receipt of a $65 million 7-bed Intensive Care Unit, a $36 million window replacement project, $38.16 million roof resealing project and a $4 million facelift – Dalley said the Ministry of Health (MOH) was committed to the modernisation of the health services.

Nevertheless, the minister said there was much more to be done at the hospital including replacement of its outdated air conditioning system and refurbishing of its laundry and kitchen facilities.

“In the budget coming up we want to ensure that the hospital is properly taken care of.”

Hospital CEO, Everton Anderson, lauded Tuesday’s handing over of the multimillion-dollar diagnostic equipment as historic. as did Acting Regional Director of the Western Regional Health Authority Dr. Alexander Konstantinov.

Ray Barrett, Executive Director of the National Health Fund, which provided the funds for the equipment, said the upgrading of the hospital’s radiology unit was all part of a US$10-million modernisation project for the entire island.