Jamaica eyes wider cancer treatment and screening support after IAEA talks

Jamaica is moving to widen cancer treatment and screening in the public health system following technical discussions with the International Atomic Energy Agency in Geneva, Switzerland, Minister Tufton has said.

The minister said the IAEA has long supported Jamaica’s cancer-care programme, including treatment equipment now operating at St. Joseph’s and Cornwall Regional. He said the country needs greater capacity as cancers, including breast, prostate and colon cancer, continue to place growing pressure on health services.

According to Tufton, the talks include a plan for an IAEA technical team to visit Jamaica and assess the equipment needed to expand services. Jamaica is seeking four additional cancer-treatment machines over the next two to three years, with extra capacity proposed for St. Joseph’s and Cornwall Regional, along with a possible new treatment facility in central Jamaica, potentially in Manchester.

Tufton also pointed to the need for broader cancer screening, especially breast cancer screening. He said mammogram services were almost absent from the public system when he became minister, but there are now about three units across hospitals. The Government wants to add at least six more, and possibly more, while also exploring whether screening can be offered at the primary-care level in upgraded health centres.

The minister said the aim is to more than double public-sector capacity for both cancer treatment and screening, with IAEA assistance.

Training is another part of the discussions. Tufton said Jamaica needs more qualified personnel to operate the machines, and officials are considering a programme with the University of the West Indies or another institution to build local capacity.

A third focus is maintenance and servicing. Tufton said the equipment is highly specialised and requires technical skills that are limited locally, contributing to delays when servicing is needed.

He said Jamaica hopes the IAEA visit will help guide a phased expansion of cancer-treatment infrastructure over the next year for Jamaicans who depend on the public health system.