The Suddie Diagnostic and Treatment Centre is set for a year-end opening and is expected to service hundreds of residents from the Essequibo Coast.

In addition to the services being offered at the Suddie Hospital, the diagnostic centre will provide orthopaedic, gynaecological, neonatal, and endoscopy services. The centre will also house a general medical out-patient department, an operating theatre to conduct simple surgeries and x-ray and ultra-sound services.

Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran recently conducted an inspection visit to the facility and expressed concerns over some aspects of construction which were installed due to technical difficulties, according to a release from the Government Information Agency (GINA).

Ramsaran said that the problems are being addressed and they are working with the contractor. He was quoted by GINA as saying that the final touches are being put in place and staffers are being updated with new measures which will soon be implemented.

When operational the Suddie Diagnostic Centre will be manned by medical personnel from Cuba, some of whom are already in the country including the administrator, an electrical engineer and an architect.

The Suddie Diagnostic Centre is being built at an approximate cost of $120M and is part of an expanded Government of Guyana and Cuba programme initiated last year. Four other health institutions including the ophthalmology centre at Port Mourant, Berbice are also part of the programme.

Earlier this month the East Bank Demerara Regional hospital, which services close to 2,000 persons daily, was commissioned. Two other diagnostic and treatment centres are under construction at Mahaicony, Region Five and Leonora, Region Three.