$60M GE digital X-ray system commissioned at Kumaka District Hospital

Diagnostic services in Region One have been significantly strengthened with the commissioning of a $60 million GE digital X-ray system at the Kumaka District Hospital on Saturday.

The installation marks a major advancement from the outdated analogue, film-based equipment that had been used for decades.

“For many years, we struggled with old X-ray equipment, some as old as 25 to 30 years, which relied on films and darkroom processing. We therefore made a deliberate decision to phase out all analogue X-ray units and standardise modern digital systems across the country,” Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony said at the commissioning ceremony.

The Ministry has adopted Siemens, Philips, and GE as national standards for digital radiography, citing reliability and high imaging quality. The GE unit installed at Kumaka is regarded as one of the top systems now in use, a release from the Ministry said.

Significant infrastructural and electrical upgrades were completed to support the installation. “These systems are extremely sensitive and require stable power. We installed specialised electrical wiring, voltage stabilisers, backup power systems, and a modern generator, ensuring that the X-ray service remains operational even during power outages,” Dr. Anthony said.

Staff are undergoing training to operate and manage the advanced system. “We are training the team here to fully operate and manage the system. Once the unit is fully operational, patients will no longer need to leave the sub-region for X-rays. The images produced will be of the highest quality,” he stated.

The Ministry will also install a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) to allow digital images to be transmitted to radiologists in Georgetown for rapid interpretation. “This capability ensures that doctors here can access specialist support whenever needed. It significantly improves diagnostic accuracy and patient care,” the Minister added.

Dr. Anthony said the Ministry is piloting an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system for automated X-ray interpretation at the Enmore Regional Hospital. “There are AI systems today that can interpret X-rays with up to 99% accuracy. If our pilot proves successful, we intend to expand this technology to other hospitals, including Kumaka, allowing AI to assist in reading X-rays and other imaging studies,” he said.

Regional Vice Chairman Paul Pierre welcomed the investment, saying it reflects a wider effort to improve healthcare in remote areas. “I can tell you that the number of health facilities built in some of our most remote areas tells a powerful story. We continue to see meaningful development and it shows that the Guyana Government is serious about making healthcare accessible to all the people of Region One,” Pierre said.

He added that the regional health system has improved significantly over the past decade. “We recognise that health services have improved significantly over the years, and I can assure you that they will continue to improve,” he said. Pierre noted that a large share of the proposed regional budget is dedicated to training and expanding the health workforce. “That alone demonstrates that we have a bright future in healthcare.”

Pierre also thanked the Ministry and its partners for their continued efforts. “Health is important. Without good health, there isn’t much to look forward to. We are seeing real progress, and under this government, we can look forward to a stronger, more resilient health system and a more resilient country,” he said.

Rawle Hendricks, Toshao of Santa Rosa Village, also praised the upgrades and said residents are anticipating the commissioning of the Moruca Regional Hospital in 2027.

Those attending the ceremony included Dr. Steven Cheefoon, Regional Health Officer; Michael Gouveia, Senior Operations Manager; and Ms. Elaine LaRose, Hospital Administrator, along with other medical staff of the Kumaka District Hospital.

Minister Anthony speaks at the commissioning