Dominica: High Intensity Focus Ultrasound commissioned at DCFH

The government of Dominica on Thursday commissioned a High-intensity focus ultrasound (HIFU) at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital (DCFH) in Roseau. Minister of Health Wellness and New Health Investment Dr Irving McIntyre referred to the moment as a "historic day" in the medical infrastructure of Dominica. He said the government made a tremendous investment in upgrading health care islandwide over the past five years. He said the High-intensity focus ultrasound (HIFU) has a cutting edge technology with capabilities to identify many kinds of diseases, including liver, pancreatic, breast, bone cancers etc. Dr McIntyre said with the availability of HIFU in Dominica, people can get treatment of various diseases at home instead of going abroad.

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"Much of these investments have seen the construction of new health and wellness facilities to strengthen our resolve to improve the delivery of primary care and practical application of principle health investments. We have also embarked on the primary capital development programmes close to US$48 million at DCFH," said Dr McIntyre.

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High-intensity focus ultrasound (HIFU) was commissioned with the assistance of the People's Republic of China.

The Health Minister indicated that the eye department named Brenda Stratford Foundation Eye Care would be commissioned between May 12 to 13. He said the facility would provide complete eye care related services, including surgeries with a waiting period not less than three months.

Dr McIntyre said that the government is not only upgrading the existing medical facilities but also increasing accident and trauma departments, increasing operation theatres capacities and Intensive Care Unit Beds.

"Today, Dominica China Friendship Hospital has a state of the art accident and emergency department, fully equipped with an observation unit and eight beds, operating theatre, four bedded decontamination room, four consultation rooms and two isolation rooms. Fully equipped laboratory with all major types of equipment," said, McIntyre.

Furthermore, he said the radiology department at the DCFH had the most significant improvements over the years.

"As a practising physician myself, I report to the population that the DCFH has the most modern full-service radiology department in the public services in the region. It comprises different types of machines including ct scan, mammography, ultrasound, MRI and now High-intensity focus ultrasound," said the Health Minister.