Business View Caribbean October/November 2018

38 39 THE MILTON CATO MEMORIAL HOSPITAL Other items on Walters’ wish list include upgrading the hospital’s technological capabilities, as well as its health informa- tion system. “We have started to implement some programs in the health information system, but I think that is one area that we can ask for help with.” Meanwhile, healthcare on St. Vincent and the Grenadines has recently taken a giant leap forward with the July opening of the EC$42 million Modern Medical and Diag- nostic Centre in Georgetown, the country’s capital. “It is part of our hospital services and it caters to patients who require he- modialysis and oncology,”Walters reports. “That’s a huge stride in moving healthcare forward for our people, because, previous to this institution, there was a lone facility on the island that catered to hemodialysis for patients who have chronic renal failure, and the alternative to that was peritoneal dial- ysis, which was very taxing on the patient and wasn’t always the first choice of the doctors, but it was the best that we, as an institution, offered. Otherwise, persons had to go to neighboring islands. But since July, we have been able to offer that tool to the Vin- centian population, and we’re hoping that we will now be seen as an alternative to our sister countries in the region.We also offer services of gastroenterology at that facility and there is a brand new accident and emergency depart- ment.We’ve extended our laboratory services in that facility, as well, as radiology. There’s also a pharmacy and we’re hoping that we can offer physiotherapy in the near future.” Walters believes that the Cato Memorial Hos- pital holds its own when compared to other countries in the region with comparable econ- omies and infrastructure. “We provide optimal healthcare within our capabilities,” she asserts. “Our staff is very dedicated and innovative. What we do with the little we have is amazing. We take pride in our pediatric services, and we are classified as Best Practice in pediatric care in the region. So, we have that as one of our resounding successes.We are always willing to learn; always willing to access change.We’re on a path to improving healthcare and enhancing the lives of the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.” PREFERRED VENDOR n Clinitech Company Ltd. www.clinitechtt.com