A $6.3 Million regional dialysis centre was officially commissioned yesterday at the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital.
The Department of Public Information (DPI) said that the centre which is equipped with eight dialysis machines and trained staff has been operational since the start of the year and to date, 38 patients have accessed its services free of cost.
Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence explained that the establishment of the dialysis centre was the result of an agreement the Ministry reached with the Doobay Medical Centre to provide free dialysis services in Berbice.
“One patient accessing dialysis outside the region would expend about $360,000 a month and that doesn’t include transportation and accommodation etc. If it was to be summed up it would amount to approximately $4.3 Million per year. How many persons can afford that?” the minister remarked.
She also said that the facility adds to a series of developments that the region underwent over the last year.
“This is the first of its kind for the region and is a service of inestimable value… I am thrilled to say without reserve that the MoPH has achieved an important milestone for residents in this region”, Lawrence said.
Among the patients already benefitting are Sewekarran Nanhu of Edinburgh, East Bank Berbice and Wayne Watson of #28 Village in Region Five.
Dr. Budhendra Doobay in his remarks commended the health minister for ensuring this crucial facility was set up in the region. “Since meeting Minister Lawrence, her only concern is ensuring that people get access to all the services they need,” Dr. Doobay said.
