The Cayman Islands Seafarers Association has generously donated a new piece of state-of-the-art equipment to the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority (HSA). The InTouch Health RP-Lite Robot, nick-named ‘Sally’, is a machine allowing live one-on-one interaction with medical specialists overseas.
At a 16 August ceremony attended by approximately 70 people, Ms Lizzette Yearwood, CEO of the HSA and Dr Delroy Jefferson, HSA Medical Director, were honoured to accept the donation on behalf of the staff and patients of the Health Services Authority.
“I cannot thank the Cayman Islands Seafarers Association enough for this generous donation to the Cayman Islands Hospital”, Ms Yearwood stated. “This robot will help improve our patients’ experience and will give many the opportunity to stay on island, when they would have otherwise needed to travel overseas.”
President of the Cayman Islands Seafarers Association, Mr Delano Bush, was happy to be presenting this robot, after two years of fundraising with his fellow Seafarers.
“The Seafarers are happy to be able to contribute ‘Sally’ RP-Lite as a new member to the HSA”, Mr Bush stated. “This is the first of its kind in the English speaking Caribbean and we are proud to be part of it”.
”Sally” allows overseas medical specialists to have live interaction with a patient and local medical staff here in Cayman. With a two way high definition camera, the overseas doctor can observe and interact with patients allowing the specialist to make a diagnosis.
Dr Delroy Jefferson stated that he had been working locally with Carole Appleyard Consulting and overseas companies Virtual Neurology and InTouch Health, whose representatives were present to demonstrate the robot with an overseas neurologist, live.
“Having to travel for a medical consultation can be inconvenient and costly to a patient and their families”, Dr Jefferson stated. “Many patients will be able to take advantage of this new technology, resulting in faster results from a specialist, which could save someone’s life.”
The RP-Lite robot is often used with people who have suffered a stroke. With many stroke patients, it is imperative to work fast, as the longer it takes for the stroke patient to get treatment, the higher risk of long term disabilities. This machine will now allow a patient to see a specialist as quickly as an hour, versus having to be transported off island.
Hon. Osbourne Bodden Minister for Health, Youth, Sports & Culture was also present with his Chief Officer, Ms Jennifer Ahearn, Premier Hon. Alden McLaughlin and Ms Mary Rodrigues, Acting Deputy Governor, Training and Employment.
Minister Bodden stated, “The introduction of telemedicine in Cayman Islands will significantly help reduce government’s costs for healthcare and give our residents access to specialists they otherwise could only see by flying off island”, Minister Bodden stated. “I’d like to extend my deep gratitude to the Seafarers Association for all of the hard work and fundraising that went into making this machine a reality, as it will make a huge difference for our country”.
Cayman News Service – 22 August 2013
Cayman Active – 8 September 2013
