If Anguilla were to have an MRI Machine, as part of its stock of high-efficiency equipment, at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, there would be no need for patients to travel abroad for that service.
It is understood that an MRI Machine is part of the community assistance which Mr. Richard M. Schulze, the owner of Aurora Resort Anguilla, intends to provide as a gift to the Government of Anguilla, the Health Authority and the people of the island.
The matter came up at the Government of Anguilla Press Conference on Monday, September 6. It was raised in a question asked by Mr. Carlton Pickering of Channel 4 Television.
“Are we still pursuing that gift? What do we need to put in place to accommodate that machine, and do we have the numbers [patients] to go through with it?” Pickering asked the Premier and Minister of Health, Dr. Ellis Lorenzo Webster.
“Yes, we are still pursuing that gift,” Dr. Webster replied. “As I said, at the last press conference, if we were to get a containerised MRI, it will be already housed in a container that can serve as an office – and as a centre to do the testing. In terms of the numbers, here in Anguilla, we have a lot of patients who are sitting here waiting.
“Because of COVID, they can’t get over to St. Martin to get MRI tests for back problems, knee problems and brain problems. This is a necessary piece of equipment to provide the healthcare that is necessary for the people of Anguilla. And so I appreciate and thank Mr. Schulze of Aurora for offering it – and we are making every effort to get it in.
“As regards the committed electrical lines, and things like that, we are working on getting them set up. As was done for the CT Scan Machine, the MRI also requires its own dedicated electrical line. It is important that there are no surges that can destroy delicate equipment that costs over a million dollars.”
Dr. Webster added that there are radiology technicians at the hospital who can operate the MRI Machine. However, he pointed out that one of the requirements was for someone to be available who can repair the equipment.
“We are looking into that right now,” he disclosed. “In fact I had a meeting, right after the press conference last week, with someone who called saying that they do this type of work – and we are in those discussions right now.”
