$136M digital X-ray system commissioned at Lenora Cottage Hospital

The newly commissioned x-ray system at work

A $136 million state-of-the-art digital X-ray system was commissioned on Friday at the Lenora Cottage Hospital in Region Three, expanding access to high-quality diagnostic services for residents of Lenora and surrounding communities.

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, along with Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony, commissioned the high-resolution digital system during a ceremony at the facility.

The digital X-ray unit, valued at $53 million, is a GE generator FlashPad system. Supporting infrastructure to facilitate its installation and operation was constructed at an estimated cost of $83 million.

The system delivers advanced digital imaging with AI-enhanced performance, improved accuracy and streamlined clinical workflows, strengthening diagnostic capacity in the region.

Addressing stakeholders, healthcare professionals and community members, Minister Anthony said the newly installed system ranks among the best globally and is supported by critical infrastructure, including a reliable battery system, generator, stable power supply and modern ancillary equipment.

“This is a very good machine,” Dr Anthony said. “We now have the battery system, the generator, the power, and the equipment in place to ensure consistent and reliable service delivery.”

He said the introduction of in-house digital X-ray services removes the financial and administrative challenges previously associated with outsourcing diagnostic imaging, reducing costs and improving efficiency within the public healthcare system.

Dr Anthony also highlighted the streamlined patient-care process enabled by the system, allowing authorised personnel to grant approvals quickly so patients can receive diagnostic results promptly and proceed to physicians or referral hospitals for follow-up and treatment.

“This is the kind of science that we do,” he said. “It represents a major step forward in how healthcare is delivered.”

Dr Zelda Luke-Blyden, Emergency Consultant and Doctor-in-Charge of Lenora Cottage Hospital, described the commissioning as a critical upgrade to patient care and service delivery.

She said X-ray services at the hospital had become increasingly unreliable due to repeated operational challenges, and that the previous unit was fully decommissioned in late 2024, forcing patients to seek services at the West Demerara Regional Hospital and, more recently, the De Kinderen Regional Hospital.

“With this new machine, we can now offer X-ray services as part of a true ‘one-stop shop’ for our patients,” Dr Luke-Blyden said. “This significantly improves efficiency, convenience, and overall patient experience.”

She outlined the advantages of digital imaging over the former analogue system, noting that images can now be reviewed immediately after being taken, reducing delays in diagnosis and treatment.

“One of the major benefits is that patients are no longer repeatedly exposed to radiation due to retakes,” she said. “Digital imaging allows adjustments to be made electronically to improve image quality.”

The system also enables real-time review of images by radiologists and external specialists when required, which is particularly beneficial in emergency situations.

“This significantly expedites diagnosis and treatment,” Dr Luke-Blyden said. “Ultimately, this digital X-ray machine represents a major advancement in the quality of care we provide to our patients.”

Residents welcomed the development. Lenora resident Budnarine said the new service would spare residents the need to travel long distances for diagnostic imaging.

“This is a good thing the government did here today; now we don’t have to travel far to get an X-ray done,” he said.

Bibi Yasmin Singh of Zeelugt said the initiative would ease the financial burden on residents who previously spent on transportation to access X-ray services at other hospitals in the region.

The Lenora commissioning follows a similar milestone last week, when the Health Minister commissioned a digital X-ray system at the Kumaka Hospital in Region One (Barima–Waini), marking that institution’s first digital X-ray unit.