6.2 The majority of laboratory instrumentation is provided from American sources: German instruments are highly thought of but Japanese with the exception of microscopes
delay
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appear to have lost ground recently as a result of price increases and growing price-competitiveness from other countries.
6.3 Other items which are likely to be required, again during the coming financial year, include:
6.4
Fibre optic endoscopes.
Fibre optic bronchoscopes.
Fibre scopes.
Duodenal fibre scopes. Pan - endoscopes.
Infant ventilators.
Ophthalmic microscope.
Mammograph.
Patient isolators.
Cobalt 60 source.
Gamma counter.
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500 mA X-ray generator Image intensifier, TV Ultrasonics.
Recent purchases of X-ray equipment for Government hospitals have tended to move away from the more expensive American system and in 3 cases out of 5 last year, Japanese systems were ordered purely on a price factor. The remaining 2 systems were ordered from Holland and Italy. It was estimated that there could be a considerable demand for small, portable X-ray machines, of the type which could be used in the small clinics which abound the Colony.
6.5 In order to cope with the anticipated demand from the new hospitals (an estimated 1m lbs per month), there are proposals under consideration for the setting up of 2 new laundries, although site locations are not yet known. Tunnel washers multi-roller ironers and washer extractors will be required.
6.6 There are few possibilities for hospital/ward furniture: the only exception being that of hospital beds but only if they can be manufactured locally and demonstrate a substantial reduction in price. There is a possible demand for up to 100 beds in relation to special nursing procedures.
6.7 It is anticipated that the annual contract for disposable items will continue to grow and that the larger part will increasingly go to Japan with its price advantage. The demand for a smaller syringe, for use in the immunisation programme, could be considerable, and the move towards the use of the disposable syringe in hospitals generally, is now most marked. There could also be a greater use of disposables ie sterilised paper, in CSSDs in the future, where the present usage of calico wraps is expected to diminish.
6.8 Many dressings are being imported from P R China as are surgical gloves, which are said to be improving in quality and cheaper than others on the market.
7.1 STATISTICS
An increase in the number of beds previously quoted, has been noted: at the end of 1975 there were:-
17,980 beds in
government hospitals;
prison hospitals/treatment centres;
government-assisted hospitals; private hospitals.
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