PM launches $21m CT Scan, the country’s first

The country today witnessed the launching of its first Computed tomography (CT) Scan worth $21m at the National Referral Hospital.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare was given the honour to launch the CT Scan and witnessed a live scan of a person using the new CT scan firsthand.

Leonard Nonifi, the patient who was the first to use the CT scan after its launch today.

CT Scan is a diagnostic imaging exam that uses X-ray technology to produce images of the inside of the body. It can show detailed imagines of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, organs and blood vessels.

Sogavare announced today that until yesterday there were 73 CT scan tests and they were performed for examination of brain, chest, inner ear, heart, kidney, liver etc…

“We can now do it here,” he said.

One medical expert told SBMOnline today that the machine will help to identify diseases at an early stage so that they could be addressed.

Sogavare said the idea to have a CT Scan started in 2010 but it was not until 2019 when cabinet approved it and committed $21m and project took off the ground.

He said it is a unique project because it is fully funded by the SIG, and delivered total by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

The building which was constructed by Hatanga is of Australia and New Zealand standard and fitting to house the CT scan.

• News@SBMOnline2022