Cobalt Machine at KPH to be Back in Operation in Two Weeks

The cobalt unit used to administer radiotherapy to cancer patients at the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH), should be up and running within the next two weeks.

Health Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, said that the Ministry has acquired the parts needed for the repair of the machine.

He was speaking to journalists on Feb.1 after a tour of the KPH and Victoria Jubilee Hospital downtown Kingston.

“I am very happy to announce that we have sourced the parts for the cobalt machine, both at KPH and the Cornwall Regional Hospital and they came in last night (Jan. 31),” he stated.

“The machine at Cornwall Regional is working, but needs an additional part which will also be installed,” he informed.

Once the equipment is back in operation, the intervention for the almost 400 patients, who have been referred to the KPH for radiotherapy treatment from both the public and private health sectors, will commence on a priority basis.

The Ministry, last month, engaged the services of the Radiation Oncology Centre of Jamaica (ROCJ) to continue the treatment of patients, who were being treated at the KPH prior to the failure of the equipment late last year, and to commence treatment of others, who require urgent intervention.

By Athaliah Reynolds, JIS Reporter