Surgical microscope gives UHWI doctors enhanced vision

Jamaica's ability to deliver care in microsurgery and neurosurgery has received a major boost following the donation of a surgical operating microscope by the Tony Thwaites Wing to the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI).

The equipment, valued at more than US$70,000 (J$6m), was recently presented by the private wing of the hospital to the main operating theatre of the UHWI.

Chairman of the Tony Thwaites Wing, Mark Thwaites, says the board of the private wing decided to donate the equipment to enhance the hospital's ability to offer advanced-level care to more Jamaicans. He also outlined the long-standing history of the Tony Thwaites Wing working closely with the UHWI to improve its stock of equipment and facilities, and to provide better medical care.

21st-century care and education

Professor Ivor Crandon, head of the Department of Surgery, Anaesthesiology and Radiology at the UHWI, said the donation was another fine example of an active partnership.

He says the machine will assist his team in providing 21st-century care, as well as assist in educating undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Dr Crandon noted that in addition to carrying out modern surgical care to all patients, the machine will be used to undertake research and assist in the training of doctors, surgeons and nurses.

Zoom lens for surgery

Dr Carl Bruce, neurosurgeon at the hospital, stated that among the features of the machine are the zoom lens with auto-focus capabilities, which produce higher resolution images of organs and tissues during surgery.

The lens are connected to a still and video photography unit which displays captured images on a monitor. Only two surgeons could operate the previous unit at a time, but the new digital system can facilitate three surgeons during an operation. Its operability is also significantly improved when compared to the old analogue machine.

The donation by the Tony Thwaites Wing is part of an ongoing partnership in which they assist the UHWI with medical equipment and facilities, to ensure that the hospital is able to offer continued quality health care. Just this year, among other things, more than J$46m was spent to refurbish facilities at the gynaecology and obstetrics wards.