The Modern Medical Diagnostic Centre (MMDC) is now better equipped to handle additional patients who are seeking Chemotherapy treatment, this with the injection of four infusion pumps to its stock recently.
The pumps were handed over to the institution on Thursday 25th March 2021, through the kind donation of the Consulate of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in Toronto, Canada, in conjunction with the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Disaster Relief Initiative Platform (SVGDRIP).
Minister of State within the Office of the Prime Minster with responsibility for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Keisal Peters revealed that the donation is valued at US$4,896 and will be used to advance the work of the Diagnostic Medical Centre located in Georgetown. Senator Peters added that “the members of SVGDRIP continue to use their influence and network to assist in the development of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in various areas.”
The Foreign Affairs Minister said that the organization was able “to raise half of the financial donation used to purchase the equipment” and must be commended for their efforts.
The Minster of State highlighted that the organization’s membership spans USA, Canada, United Kingdom and the US Virgin Islands among other territories.
Senator Peters emphasized that SVGDRIP “is a dynamic platform to bring Vincentians across the globe to rally around the collective initiatives to increase the impact and reach of localized efforts to support SVG before and after major disaster and crisis.”
The Minister of State also congratulated the Consulate of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in Toronto under the leadership of Consul General, Fitz Huggins for their consistent effort in giving back to SVG and stressed that this is evidence of the bonds this country shares with countries and organizations throughout the world.
Senator Peters said that this country is now in a better place to improve the quality of health care offered to citizens of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Deputy Hospital Administrator, Idinger Miller reiterated the importance of the machines to Chemotherapy treatment; allowing the treatment to be administered in a more efficient and effective manner. Miller extended a heartfelt thank you to the SVGDRIP organization and Consul General, Fitz Huggins. The Deputy Hospital Administrator added that although the machines maybe small in size “they provide life-saving treatment to patients or prolong the life of persons suffering from Cancer.”
Dr. Aimee Taylor, Oncologist at the Modern Medical Diagnostic Centre disclosed a range of benefits that are derived from the usage of the infusion pumps which include precision dosage of medication to patients, the administering of different medications that will be pumped into the bloodstream through the exact passage. Dr. Taylor said that this is a timely and much needed donation to the Modern Medical Diagnostic Centre for greater efficiency and extended appreciation to the donors.
Departmental Manager at the Modern Medical Diagnostic Center, Agatha Stay thanked Consul General Fitz Huggins for the donation and noted that they can now move from administering chemotherapy for two patients to ten patients daily ultimately significantly reducing the waiting list for scheduled patients.