Eureka Medical Laboratories introduces new service
─As 24th anniversary celebrated
─Public Health minister extends congratulations
─Service supports government mandate of access to new technologies in health
DPI, Guyana, Friday, May 10, 2019
The Eureka Medical Laboratories (EML) is now offering the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Test to the public. EML is the first private health care institution to introduce this service. The test is also offered in the public sector through the National Public Health Reference Laboratory which EML will collaborate with from time to time.
According to Operations Manager of Eureka Atlantic Offshore Medical Services, Tiffany Roberts this new service is “a hallmark for EML; we launched a new test method and this advanced technology will pretty much change how we diagnose, screen, prevent and treat our patients and it is a very specific, sensitive and is also an accurate method. What this method does is it actually takes a specific sequence of DNA and it amplifies that DNA for further testing.”
Even though the test is offered free through the public sector, many take the option of sourcing the service overseas and this would take time and money. Now that EML offers the service, test results can be available as fast as in 24-hours, Roberts said.
“We are going to be offering testing for infectious diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, cervical cancer, tuberculosis and it is mainly because of those burdens and the effect that those infectious diseases have on Guyana, we feel that if patients are screen early, they can be diagnosed early and they can be treated early.
Chief Executive Officer of EML, Andrew Boyle explained the availability of the test at his private institution proves to be a cheaper option. “For example, to send a PCR gonorrhoea test overseas is US$270, that is about $ 60-70,000 GYD we can do that for $15,000 or thereabout. Very soon we will be offering hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis and malaria and those are very common diseases and those will be done by PCR testing, it’s an amazing technology.”
Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence extended congratulations to the management and staff of EML as the 24th anniversary of the institution was observed. She noted that the introduction of the service is timely as it complements and embraces the government’s measure to combat the incidence and prevalence of infectious diseases especially those which lead to cervical cancer.
“Eureka is not only on the fast track but is on the detection track that will allow them to quickly identify those affected and initiate treatment to stem the demise that is so rampant in our country…. Undoubtedly, Eureka has its eyes focused on the future of health care with new technology such as we are launching today; advanced testing that will facilitate screening, early diagnosis and treatment that will help to stem the demise of our citizens.”
The minister lauded EML’s efforts to be pioneers in the private sector.
Delicia Haynes
Images: Giovanni Gajie