Former Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL) President and CEO Brian George’s deathbed wish for the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) to move into a modern, medical technological era has taken a major step forward with the acquisition of a new diagnostic machine.

The portable echocardiogram machine, which has already been in use for approximately a month now, was funded from a $4-million gift from SVL, the island’s leading gaming company, which was handed over to the hospital 10 months ago by George’s successor, Ann-Dawn Young Sang.

Like she did when she handed over the cheque, Young Sang, on Friday at the formal presentation of the machine, reminded the senior staff of the UHWI’s Cardiology Unit that it was George’s wish:

“We know the struggles are real, the task is arduous, the hours are long, and the resources are short. We understand the echocardiogram machine is already being put to good use and is making a huge difference, and that fills us at SVL with great pride and joy,” she told guests packed into the Cardiology Conference Room at the hospital in Mona.

Prior to his death in October 2016, Young Sang’s erstwhile boss, who had suffered heart problems, had pledged the company’s support to pay for a brand new, portable echocardiogram machine. However, he died before he could fulfil the promise. But, Young Sang was determined to rekindle the gesture.

So a year later, in October 2017, she handed over a cheque for $4 million to the unit to purchase the machine, proudly endorsing the gesture.

“A year ago we lost Brian who, for a while before his untimely passing, had been in discussion to donate this (machine). He was unable to do this before he passed,” she said at the time. “But at Supreme our word is our bond, so we are making good on his promise.”

On hand to witness the event last Friday was George’s widow, Keneea Linton-George, who recalled his passion for providing the UHWI with the support to improve its technology, and thanked SVL and the hospital for seeing that it was fulfilled.

Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton, who was guest speaker at the function, expressed his pleasure at the public-private partnership that had resulted in “a promise fulfilled today”.

Dr Tufton noted that one-third of deaths in Jamaica are cardiovascular-related, and pointed out that the new machine would enhance the hospital’s capacity to respond fundamentally to that challenge. The minister thanked SVL for its donation, asserting that the machine would save and enhance the quality of lives in Jamaica.

The hospital’s Chief of Staff Dr Carl Bruce thanked SVL for the donation, stating that it would prove very beneficial in the thrust to reposition the hospital as a centre of excellence for care in cardiology in the region.

He added that the machine, which he referred to as the “Rolls-Royce of echocardiogram machines”, is helping doctors at the hospital to provide care for the most vulnerable patients due to its portability and versatility.

The function was chaired by Dr Marilyn Lawrence Wright, head of the Cardiology Unit. Greetings came from Claudette James, senior nursing director; and expressions of appreciation from consultant cardiologist, Dr Lisa Hurlock.

The speeches were followed by a demonstration of the machine by Dr Mark Hoo Sang, consultant cardiologist.

There was no explanation from the Cardiac Unit’s staff as to why acquisition of the cardiography machine took so long after the donation, considering the urgency of the need for it and the possibility that lives could have been saved in the interim.

However, the Jamaica Observer learnt that the unit had been very precise in designating the type of diagnostic tool it needed, and that this, coupled with the usual procurement requirements, had delayed it by several months.

Chairman of the hospital’s board, James Moss Solomon, in a response to the Observer about the delay, said that the machine had to be appropriate as a portable unit fit to be taken to a patient’s bedside for diagnosing.

The equipment is also plugged into the new digital system, recently introduced at the UHWI to reduce long waits at appointments and delays in the production of medical records, among other issues.

Echocardiography is an essential tool in cardiology to diagnose, for example, dilatation of parts of the heart.

Portable ultrasound machines are typically used in situations where space is limited, mobility is important, or the scanning must be done in the field.