Canadian group donates ultrasound machine to GPHC

A Canadian group has donated an ultrasound machine with a handheld scanner and a laptop computer to store the data, to the Georgetown hospital on Monday.

In a press release, the hospital said the Vscan GE ultrasound machine is capable of performing cardiac, abdominal and obstetric examinations. The equipment was donated primarily by Northwest Cardiodiagnostic Echocardiography Lab in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, supported by the Libin Cardiovascular Institute and the University of Calgary.

GPHC CEO Michael Khan received the instruments. He expressed gratitude for them noting that they will undoubtedly enhance the quality of service provided to patients. “The state-of-the-art scanner will allow the identification of potentially life-threatening cardiac, abdominal and obstetric conditions. Its small size and large capabilities make it possible for use in the Accident and Emergency Department and in outreach programmes in rural areas, as well as in the clinics and wards of the hospital,” the release said.

“Professors Debra Isaac and Kishar Narine are planning to assist in the development of an ultrasound training programme to facilitate the use of diagnostic ultrasound in Guyana,” the release added.

The donation and training programme are being supported and facilitated by Minister of Health Dr Bheri Ramsaran, who also attended the presentation exercise.