K.H.M.H. Opens a Breast Cancer Diagnosis Unit
Just a couple weeks ago the K.H.M.H. benefitted from the donation of two cell saver machines from Spine Overseas, and today the institution’s international partners came through again. Through ongoing collaboration between the K.H.M.H., the Carolinas Healthcare System and Heineman Medical Outreach in Charlotte, today the Breast Cancer Diagnosis Unit was opened to the general public. Mike Rudon was on hand for the official ribbon-cutting on what will be a very significant addition to the services currently offered by the K.H.M.H. Here’s the story.
Mike Rudon, Reporting
Today K.H.M.H. staff, along with representatives from the Carolinas Healthcare System, the Heineman Foundation and Cancer Society representatives declared the brand new Breast Cancer Diagnostic Unit officially opened. The unit was made possible through the donation of integral imaging equipment which will vastly enhance the services offered by the institution.
Adrian Coye
Dr. Adrian Coye, C.E.O., K.H.M.H.
“The equipment we have then would be diagnostic ultrasound equipment. That can be used for other types of conditions. With ultrasound you can diagnose a lesion and with ultrasound guidance you can aspirate from a lesion, a breast lesion, or any other organ that is external and accessible by ultrasound. But combining that with mammography which is now X-Ray imaging you have a greater yield as to what the problem is, the legion that you are looking at. It helps you to distinguish exactly what is what. So in terms of the range of services you diagnose, you screen and you can take samples.”
The unit was dedicated in honour of Kim Simplis Barrow, and represents the fruit of a very close relationship between local and international partners.
Michael Tarwater
Michael Tarwater, C.E.O., Carolinas Healthcare System
“Today’s event reflects Belize’s spirit of innovation and dedication and progress. It marks the continuation of a journey that was undertaken by a unique group of people committed to improving the quality of life in Belize. We feel privileged, to say the least, to be a part of this great effort and to facilitate the opening of this Breast Cancer Diagnosis Unit here at K.H.M.H.”
Fernando Paiz, Vice President, Heineman Foundation, Charlotte
“This foundation is the executor of the charitable work in support of the Carolina’s Healthcare System and it is through this alliance that we are able to do our work. This relationship with K.H.M.H. will be a long term relationship; you have the capacity and we will continue to support your projects going forward.”
Fernando Paiz
K.H.M.H. C.E.O., Dr. Adrian Coye, says that just like any other imaging service at the institution, access would be granted on the basis of referral.
Dr. Adrian Coye
“It can be from the different clinics, it can be from private practice, it can be from NHI, because we hope that this will be fed into the NHI system as well and then from within the institution.”
The Carolinas Healthcare System has committed to assisting not only with the establishment of the services, but also with training and short term maintenance. And this is only one further manifestation of what has been a very beneficial relationship between these international partners and the K.H.M.H.
Dr. Adrian Coye
“We’ve had doctors been on training, technicians been on training; they do provide technical support and that means they send people here to help us fix things. But in the end we want to develop the capacity of our biomedical engineers or technicians. We get them to be trained and skilled to do the servicing that is necessary for this kind of equipment.”
Michael Tarwater
“It has truly been a blessing for us to be able to contribute to so many exciting milestones at K.H.M.H. and in Belize—the first open heart surgery, hundreds of cardiac catheterizations and echocardiographies and now a breast cancer screening clinic.”
The equipment donated includes a mammography unit with work station and storage, a CR-Reader, an ultrasound machine and a biopsy system. Mike Rudon for News Five.
