Basseterre, St. Kitts, September 23, 2015 (SKNIS): Patients at the Joseph N. France (JNF) General Hospital suffering from broken bones, damaged muscles or similar types of injuries can expect a higher standard of healthcare due to the acquisition of a Computed Radiography (CR) machine.
The X-ray machine was donated to the medical institution by the RAMS Group of Companies and presented at a short ceremony on Tuesday (September 22) at the JNF hospital. Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr. Duane Hendrickson, said that he was particularly grateful for the equipment, which replaces one that had been broken for some time.
“Today, mobile imaging systems are a very essential part of everyday hospital life,” he stated, noting that specialists in various fields such as surgery, orthopaedics, traumatology, vascular surgery and cardiology will find the machine quite useful. “The device provides a high resolution x-ray in real time thus allowing physicians to monitor their progress at any point during the surgery and immediately make any corrections that may be required.”
JNF’s Medical Chief of Staff, Dr. Cameron Wilkinson, explained that with the alterations being made in real time, patients can expect a shorter recovery time, provided there are no complications.
The Managing Director of RAMS Group of Companies, Shaun Weston, highlighted the longstanding relationship the company has with the federation’s premier medical institution. This includes the funding of an eye clinic at the hospital in 1998. Mr. Weston said the company remains dedicated to supporting JNF hospital and when the need for the equipment was presented, work immediately began to acquire it. The collaboration between the two parties and the Ministry of Finance resulted in the acquisition of the machine. The cost of a new one is approximately EC$175,000 but the purchase of a refurbished option allowed savings of about half of that.
Mr. Weston said the donation was in keeping with the Chandiramani family – the founders of RAMS – willingness to be a “part of the solution, and not the problem.”
Minister of State responsible for Health, Honourable Wendy Phipps, paid tribute to the late Kishu Chandiramani, remembering him for the humility and generous spirit he displayed during his life. She praised the commitment he showed for the health sector and said many citizens and residents benefitted from this generosity.
“The future development of St. Kitts and Nevis and by extension the rest of the region really rests in public and private sector collaboration because the government cannot do it alone, the private sector cannot carry it alone,” she stated, adding that citizens “cannot be taxed to death.”
“If we want a better St. Kitts and Nevis, we have to find ways of working together and I think this gesture … is a testimony to that and a step in the right direction,” she added.
The handing over was witnessed by members of the Chandiramani family who received a standing ovation at the end of the ceremony.