PM ACKNOWLEDGED CABINET FOR APPROVING PURCHASE OF CT SCAN

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has acknowledged the cabinet ministers for giving the approval for the procurement of the Computed Tomography (CT) scan.

PM Sogavare highlighted that the cabinet’s decision then was the right one.

“That “yes” by the cabinet to give approval for the funds to be committed for the project was a right decision,” PM Sogavare stated.

He further added that the cabinet has given the approval for an investment of SBD$21 million dollars of which a certain amount was committed to the purchasing of the CT scan.

The Prime Minister has described the CT scan project as unique as it is wholly funded by government and delivered by Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS).

PM Sogavare adds that for the project to be successfully delivered, MHMS has set up a Project Steering Committee headed by doctor Aaron Oritaimae to oversee the delivery of the project.

PM Sogavare said that the CT scan project is a component of the National Referral Hospital Business Case that was approved by cabinet in 2020, and it reflected the commitment by Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement’s (DCGA) to establish and have specialized equipment to improve and upgrade diagnostic and treatment services.

He spelt out that the total funds of SBD$21 million dollars were used for the CT scan building, the CT scan equipment and its software and the technical set up.

The CT scan was a subject of much debate in parliament quite recently, concerns were raised that the country needs a CT scan for diagnose and treatment services.

The DCGA as a responsible government recognized the need for the important machine and it responded positively by approving a budget that catered for the CT scan, the CT scan building and the technical set up of the CT scan.

OPMC Press