Endoscopy machine donated to MCMH

On Monday, January 24, a brand-new, US$250,000 Olympus Endoscopy machine was handed over to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital.{{more}}

Thanks to the efforts of Vincentian-born doctor Stephen Nanton, residing in South Dakota, in collaboration with The Lions Club South and local businessman Paul St. John, Vincentians will, from this week, benefit from free Endoscopy and Colonoscopy services.

A team of visiting Medical Specialists are in the state from Avera McKennan Hospital in South Dakota and will be helping to perform tests. The team of ten includes: Uro- Gynecologist- Dr Matt Barker; General Surgeon- Dr David Strand; Pediatric Surgeon- Dr Karen Cartwright, Nurse Anesthetist – Dan Larson; Gastrointestinal Nurse – Melissa Miller; Gastrointestinal Technician – Deb White; and Dr.Stephen Nanton – Gastroenterologist, among others.

The purpose of the visit is to establish a modern and technological Endoscopy service, through which persons can seek treatment and attention for their upper and lower gastrointestinal tracts. Apart from providing free services, the team will also seek to transfer skills necessary for the operation and upkeep of the equipment to the hospital staff.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, which took place at the Hospital’s operating theatre, Nanton said he is happy to provide such a service, free of charge, for the Vincentian public. He noted that he has always kept in contact with his good friend Paul St. John and discussions were held about bringing the Endoscopy machine to St Vincent and the Grenadines. It was then, he said, St John got in touch with the Lions Club South and arrangements were put in place to have the machine shipped here.

Nanton, who left these shores since 1994, said it was his dream to provide a free service for the people of SVG.

“I see this as a gift to the island and we hope that we can work together to see this is an enduring process,” Nanton noted.

Noting that since the machine’s brand is an Olympus and the team of specialists are from Avera McKennan, Nanton has decided to call it the Mckennan Olympus foundation and Endoscopy centre.

He said the machine will help to look for colon cancer, stomach ulcers, and tend to patients with bleeding problems, among others.

Nanton has already pledged his commitment to the MCMH and said he will be coming back to St Vincent from time to time to work.

Medical Director at the MCMH Dr Simone Keizer-Beache thanked Nanton and his team for their generous donation to the hospital and stated that it will go a long way in assisting the hospital.

Describing the handover as a “partnership at work”, Health Minister Cecil McKie says he is excited that the team from South Dakota has partnered with the MCMH to improve the delivery of health care in St Vincent. “I have no doubt that it will impact positively on health services and it’s going to reduce the cost to the individual and the cost of medical care,” he said.

He also mentioned that the standard of living and quality of life will be significantly improved by the implementation of the brand new machine.

Nanton, who is the son of Ian and Mildred Nanton of New Montrose, will be in the country for one more week.