by Fabian Hakalits – EM TV News, Port Moresby
Buka General Hospital, in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, is the second hospital outside Port Moresby to have a Computered Tomography – CT scan.
The equipment’s commissioning occured yesterday, witnessed by National and Autonomous Bougainville Government officials.
Chief Executive Officer, Dr Cyril Imako, said the new technology machines are only for level seven hospitals, but as part of modernisation, Buka was given the green light.
“It will cater for patients in and outside of Bougainville which means; Buka Hospital will be elevated up to level five,” he said.
The new CT Scan, will save costs and time for patients who want to access the same service either in Port Moresby, Lae and overseas.
Dr Imako said that in the last 23 months, Buka hospital has been spending around K270,000 on patients who have to access the service outside of the autonomous region.
National Health Department’s Chief Radiologist, Dr Dora Lenturut, said it was not easy to approve a CT scan for other hospital levels like Buka but because of the urgent need, they had to support the project.
“The National Health Department will work together with the Autonomous Bougainville Government, providing manpower and expertise,”
The CT scan was purchased by the Bougainville Regional MP’s office, at K1.7 million, under the Provincial Service Improvement Program (PSIP) funds.
According to Mr Lera, PSIP funds focuses on improving and expanding health services under the modernisation program.
ABG President, Chief Dr John Momis, commended Mr Lera for his initiative to build the capacity of Buka General Hospital by paying for Expensive Equipment’s with his PSIP funds.
