With over 200 patients seen daily and over 36,000 procedures done annually, the Mandeville Regional Hospital’s (MRH) Radiology Department is now better equipped to provide diagnostic services with the acquisition of an X-ray machine valued at $19.599 million, donated by the CHASE Fund.

Chief executive officer of the CHASE Fund, Billy Heaven, in urging the hospital staff to pay special attention to the care of the equipment, noted that the fund will be offering five scholarships for the degree programme in bio medical engineering, which will help with the future maintenance of machines. He told the staff that the warranty and maintenance should be looked at carefully, in addition to the establishment of a replacement fund to care for the equipment.

The X-ray machine, which is considered to be the best diagnostic tool in modern medicine, was officially handed over recently at the MRH in Manchester.

Heaven noted that the health sector is a critical part of the fund’s mandate, and since its inception in 2003 has provided financial support to the tune of $3 billion.

“The hospital is the main referral hospital in the region and thus the majority of high-risk and critical care patients are seen at this facility. Therefore, it is of paramount importance for the hospital to have the best available equipment in order to be able to serve the needs of the people,” Heaven added.

Consultant radiologist at the MRH, Dr Alistair McBean, noted that the Radiology Department provides services including radiography; ultra sound and image-guided intervention procedures; and fluoroscopic procedures to residents in the southern region and from as far as Westmoreland, St Ann, Trelawny and St Catherine.

Dr McBean, in recording his gratitude to the CHASE Fund, said the department remains committed to offering quality services to its clients.