Yesterday, the Gibraltar Health Authority announced the new specialised MALDI-TOF biochemical analyser, a sophisticated instrument of medical technology, for the recently inaugurated one stop urology clinic.

The equipment, which will significantly improve the diagnostic capabilities of the Microbiology Laboratory, has been kindly donated by local charity Prostate Cancer Gibraltar in conjunction with Kusuma Trust and other corporate and private sponsors.

This expensive item valued at £180,000 will be sited at the recently opened urology clinic at St Bernard’s Hospital, but will have applications across a wider range of medical disciplines.

On behalf of Kusuma Trust, Michelle Tosso said: "The MALDI-TOF equipment will allow for faster and more accurate diagnosis and treatment of infectious disease, which is particularly crucial for cancer patients, as well as many other vulnerable groups. Kusuma Trust Gibraltar are delighted to partner with Prostate Cancer Gibraltar and the GHA to purchase this state of the art, life-saving equipment for the benefit of our community.”

Immunocompromised patients, particularly cancer patients, are at the highest risk from infections such as urine infections and sepsis. The MALDI-TOF allows the rapid identification of bacterial and fungal microorganisms which cause these infections, thus improving patient prognosis as targeted treatment is provided significantly earlier.

Targeted antibiotic use also lowers the risk for development of antibiotic resistance and reduces costs to the GHA. The analyser has also allowed doctors to initiate screening for Candida Auris, a pathogen that has been associated with outbreaks in healthcare settings amongst the most vulnerable patients.

The advancement made using the MALDI-TOF is innovative and directly contributes to improved patient care and outcomes, greatly assisting in the department’s commitment to excellence in microbiology.

Prostate Cancer Gibraltar Chairman Joe Holliday said: “In the past year we have been engaged in raising over £230,000 for the purchase of additional medical equipment. The introduction of the MALDI-TOF has been transformative. It has been in operation for a couple of months and, we understand, has already saved two lives. We are delighted to have funded this machine which will serve all the community.”

PCG was also instrumental in the purchase of a urology treatment and examination couch that facilitates diagnostic assessment, and is also being used by the gynaecology department for their own examinations.

GHA Director General, Kevin McGee, said: “Having this modern equipment is a great step forward for the new urology section of the hospital, which will now have access to advanced technology. The MALDI-TOF is a game changer for microbiology, accelerating the accurate identification of pathogens, therefore directly contributing to the administration of more effective targeted treatments. It is a great combination that will serve our patients well.”

For her part, the Minister for Health and Care, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, said: “This state-of-the-art equipment together with the recent inauguration of a one stop shop urology clinic represents a significant improvement in the healthcare provision for Urology services in Gibraltar. Having medical technology that can identify pathogens more accurately and at a faster rate is a magnificent step forward for the GHA and I would like to thank Prostate Cancer Gibraltar and the Kusuma Trust for their very generous donation.”