Dear Editor,
Last week, I had the honour of attending the commissioning of Linden’s first digital X-ray machine marking a significant milestone in expanding access to modern diagnostic services for Region 10.
In 2020, Guyana’s public healthcare system had access to only two digital X-ray machines, one located at the Lethem Regional Hospital and the other at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). For many citizens, particularly those living in hinterland and rural
communities, timely diagnostic imaging remained out of reach, often requiring long-distance travel and delays in care.
Today, that reality has changed drastically.
Guyana is now on track to have 23 digital X-ray machines deployed across the country, representing a major leap in diagnostic capacity, patient safety, and healthcare equity. This expansion is not merely about increasing numbers; it reflects a deliberate shift toward a modern, efficient, and people-centered healthcare system.
Most importantly, these machines are sourced from globally recognised manufacturers which are GE Healthcare, Siemens, and Mindray. These brands are trusted internationally for their reliability, precision, and advanced imaging technology, and are widely used in leading hospitals across North America, Europe, and even Asia.
That fact is that Digital X-ray technology offers more significant advantages over the traditional film-based Analog systems where patients were previously exposed to lower levels of radiation.
With this new technology images are produced instantly, and clinicians are able to have diagnostic accuracy. Images can also be stored and shared electronically, enabling faster consultations and better continuity of care.
For regions that historically faced limited access to advanced diagnostics, this development is especially transformative because with this new implementation patients no longer need to travel to Georgetown for basic imaging.
This expansion from just 2 machines in 2020 to 23 today represents a strategic investment in the foundations of healthcare delivery and is a testament to Guyana’s broader health sector modernisation agenda.