A $10M generator and electrical panels will be installed by Friday at the Leonora Diagnostic and Treatment Centre to provide a 24-hour supply of electricity to the facility on the West Coast of Demerara.

Minister in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran accompanied by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Hydar Ally on Monday visited the facility to check on the progress of construction, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

And various pieces of equipment which will be used to offer several specialised services have already arrived in the country and are being installed. This includes equipment for the operating theatre, the x-ray room and laboratory, GINA said.

The Leonora, Mahaicony, Suddie and the recently-commissioned Diamond Diagnostic and Treatment Centres are projects under construction through a collaborative effort between the Governments of Guyana and Cuba.

Additionally, the 2006 agreement also includes the state-of-the-art ophthalmology centre under construction at Port Mourant, Region Six. It will offer services to Guyanese free of cost and will also cater for persons from several other Caribbean countries, including Suriname.

Agreements for the construction of these facilities were finalised during President Bharrat Jagdeo’s visit to Cuba in February, 2006.

According to GINA, it was agreed that the Guyana Government will purchase US$1.2M worth of equipment to furnish four centres that would be set up by the Cubans. The Cuban Government would provide 27 specialists and technicians for each of the four centres over a five-year period. Guyanese medical personnel under training will assume responsibility for these centres subsequently.

The centres will offer a range of services such as laboratory, intensive care, haematology, x-ray and ultra-sound, and will also have facilities where surgeries can be done.

These centres are expected to provide quality services to the regions and reduce the load at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).