by Devonne Cornelius
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): Prime Minister the Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris says the government will seek to improve the services offered in healthcare in St. Kitts and Nevis.
The announcement came with news of a new Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine to be installed at the J.N. France General Hospital in St. Kitts.
“In the 2022 Estimates, we propose that $73.7 million would be allocated to the Ministry of Health,” the Prime Minister said, adding that “we will also provide new diagnostic services with the introduction of a new MRI machine…”
An MRI is a medical scan that utilizes strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of the body. The results of an MRI scan can be used to help diagnose conditions, plan treatments and assess how effective previous treatment has been
Prime Minister Harris said, “the necessary technical personnel for the efficient and effective operation of the MRI machine is also proposed for funding in 2022.”
The $73.7 million budget for the Ministry of Health will also be used to fund additional medical professionals including a General Surgeon, Urologist, Oncologist, Orthopaedic surgeon, Pathologist, and Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist.
Prime Minister Harris further indicated that the government commenced the design phase of the Basseterre Health Centre Expansion and Refurbishment Project.
“It is anticipated that an open competitive tendering process will be undertaken in 2022 when we hope to start the actual construction works,” the Prime Minister said.
