Governor gains insight into latest patient care technology at HSA

Governor Martyn Roper was introduced to the breadth of services and advancements in technology available through the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority (HSA) during his tour of the Cayman Islands Hospital on Wednesday, 28 August 2019.

Accompanied by the Minister of Health, Environment, Culture and Housing, Hon. Dwayne Seymour, HSA CEO Lizzette Yearwood, Board Members and senior managers, Governor Roper visited areas within the hospital where he interacted with staff and patients alike.

Members of the medical staff showed Governor Roper the latest in patient care technology within the HSA to improve diagnosis, treatment, intervention and patient outcomes including the 3D mammography machine, rated among the best in the world. The state-of-the-art machine allows doctors to detect cancer in the early stages. The technology is made available through collaboration with the Cayman Islands Cancer Society.

The tour concluded with a visit to the dialysis unit where Governor Roper learned about the higher than average life expectancy of dialysis patients in the Cayman Islands in comparison to patients in the United States. The crude mortality rate of dialysis patients in Cayman last year was 9% compared to 16% of patients in the US and the average life span of Cayman’s dialysis patients is about eight years compared to the six years of US patients (US Renal data report 2018). This positive outcome is, in part, thanks to the care and attention of the team and new developments in technology, including the offering of continuous renal replacement treatment (CRRT) which allows those who are critically ill to continue receiving dialysis.

“Investing in equipment and services to provide better clinical diagnosis and patient outcomes is crucial in the fight against killer diseases. I am impressed with the progress that has been made, the dedication of the staff I met and HSA’s plans for the future,” said Governor Roper as the Board talked him through the future relocation of certain services to Smith Road in 2020, expansion of existing services and addition of new ones.

Governor Martyn Roper, the Minister of Health, Environment, Culture and Housing, Hon. Dwayne Seymour, HSA CEO Lizzette Yearwood, Ministry of Health officials, board members and senior managers of the HSA