THE Ministry of Health and Wellness, through the Health Systems Strengthening Programme (HSSP), has officially commissioned 20 pieces of diagnostic imaging equipment for use in five public health centres.

The equipment, which includes Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) machines used for dental and facial X-rays, and hand-held ultrasound devices, are valued at approximately $69.5 million.

They were handed over to representatives of the respective regional health authorities in a short ceremony at the St Ann’s Bay Health Centre last Thursday.

During the ceremony Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton noted the strategic importance of the investment:

“This handover is a key component of a broader and forward-looking health infrastructure project; one that represents a holistic and strategic investment in the future of healthcare across the country,” said Tufton.

In addition to providing the equipment, the HSSP also funded approximately $11 million in preparatory works to retrofit and prepare the facilities to house the CBCT units. This work included structural improvements, electrical work, and shielding installation to meet international safety standards.

St Ann’s Bay Health Centre in St Ann, Greater Portmore Health Centre in St Catherine, and May Pen West Health Centre in Clarendon, each received a CBCT machine, two viewing stations, a mini PACS server, and a hand-held ultrasound device.

Additionally, St Jago Park Health Centre in St Catherine received two viewing stations, a mini PACS server and a hand-held ultrasound, while Mocho Health Centre in Clarendon received a hand-held ultrasound device.

The CBCT machines and associated equipment have already been installed in the designated health facilities, and the staff members trained in the operations and care of the machines.

The equipment purchase was funded using a portion of the $1.8-billion investment from the European Union into the HSSP. They were provided and installed by CEDI Europe, a global provider of health-care infrastructure solutions, in collaboration with their local partner Medical Link Jamaica.

Minister of Heath Dr Christopher Tufton and Dr Erja Askola, ambassador of the delegation of the European Union to Jamaica, examine one of the diagnostic imaging equipment donated to health centres last week under the HSSP.