Three public hospitals are to receive Multi-slice Computed Tomography (CT ) scanners as part of the Government's preparation of the health sector for Cricket World Cup 2007.

Information Minister Donald Buchanan told journalists attending Monday's post-Cabinet press briefing that the equipment, used to provide images of the internal organs, would be acquired at a cost of $243.4 million.

"This is to improve and upgrade these facilities in our public health delivery facility," he said. "This will also enable us to be fully ready in terms of providing and having all of the most modern technical facilities when World Cup 2007 is held in the Caribbean."

The University Hospital of the West Indies, the Kingston Public Hospital and the Cornwall Regional Hospital in St. James are the facilities which will receive the equipment.

The contract was awarded to Consumables Direct Sales Limited. Under the contract, the company is required to install the equipment within six weeks.