Trinidad and Tobago recently received a significant boost in their healthcare sector with the acquisition of eight health robots from the Indian Government. Valued at US $1 million, these robots are set to revolutionize the digitization of the country’s health system.
Scarborough General Hospital is among the fortunate recipients, as they have been assigned one humanoid and one disinfection robot. These robots are expected to make a substantial impact on the overall operations of the hospital, enhancing efficiency and quality of care.
Minister of Health, Terrance DeyalSingh, expressed the government’s commitment to integrating robotics and Artificial Intelligence technology into the healthcare system. He emphasized the importance of digital solutions such as AI and robotics in driving medical practice and innovation.
The initiative, titled Bringing High and Low Technology – A Collaborative Partnership, was launched in September 2021 under the India UNDP fund by the Pan American Health Organisation. The project includes two disinfection robots and six humanoid robots, aimed at transforming the delivery of healthcare services in Trinidad and Tobago.
In addition to Scarborough General Hospital, other healthcare facilities in the country are set to benefit from this technological advancement. Hospitals in Arima, Couva, and Point Fortin will also receive humanoid robots to streamline their operations and enhance patient care.
These state-of-the-art robots will be deployed in infectious wards, where they will perform tasks such as temperature screening and recording vital signs. Dr Gabriel Vivas Francesconi from PAHO/WHO highlighted the success of similar robot deployments in Rwanda, emphasizing their effectiveness in screening patients and travelers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The introduction of high-technology health service robots is expected to play a vital role in the technological transformation of the healthcare sector in Trinidad and Tobago. With these robots at the forefront of healthcare delivery, the country is moving towards a more efficient, patient-centric system that integrates cutting-edge technology for better outcomes.
