The government has announced a significant $130 million investment to upgrade medical imaging equipment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), following revelations of extensive waiting times for CT scans and results.Prime Minister Mia Mottley disclosed the funding during the Parish Speaks town hall meeting in St George on Monday evening, responding to concerns raised by cancer survivor and advocate Carolyn Corbin about the dire state of diagnostic services at the hospital.The significant investment is intended to substantially improve the quality of care at the lone public hospital, addressing a critical backlog in diagnostic services that has affected cancer patients and others requiring urgent medical attention. But tales of waiting times from a patient advocate appeared to be news to Mottley, who vowed to investigate further.“We have just about concluded the financing for the equipment—a whole suite of equipment,” she said, detailing plans for a $65 million first phase, with an additional $65–70 million earmarked for the second phase. The funds are intended to procure vital medical devices, focusing on those essential for cancer diagnosis and treatment.Corbin had earlier highlighted to those gathered at the Cuthbert Moore Primary School, the critical issues facing patients, revealing that the hospital currently operates with only one functional CT scanner serving the entire island.
