K1bn medical diagnostics centre opens in Lilongwe
Malawi’s Deputy Minister of Health Halima Daudi on Friday opened a K1 billion (about $2.5m) private Centre for Medical Diagnostics (Cmed) in Lilongwe with a capacity to conduct tests such as cancer, heart and advanced blood tests.
Speaking at the opening of the centre located at Africa Bible College (ABC) Clinic, Daudi said the centre has modern diagnostic equipment to conduct some tests which Malawians have been seeking abroad.
“Accurate diagnosis is critical in the proper management of clinical challenges that doctors face every day when they treat patients. This facility not only will it save many lives in Malawi but will save a lot of money that is spent on patients referred to foreign hospitals for medical attention,” said Daudi.
She said diagnostic equipment in most hospitals in the country is in the state of disrepair and idle; hence, the new centre would help fill the gap in provision of diagnostic services.
“An investment like this one is a significant step towards increasing access to quality laboratory and other diagnostic services. I also appeal that, just like doctors and nurses, Cmed staff have critical responsibilities for the welfare and effective treatment of patients that pass through this centre,” said Daudi.
Cmed chief executive officer David Bisnowaty said the centre has computerised tomography (CT) scanner, four dimensional ultrasound, mammography, X-ray, fluoroscopy and other machines, adding they have already started receiving patients from several hospitals, including Kamuzu Central Hospital.
“A doctor can treat a patient competently only if they know what the problem is. Cmed has digitised system in place. Every image taken at Cmed is transmitted via Internet to South Africa where we contracted radiologists to read the images and send a full report immediately,” said Bisnowaty.
