Jamaica seeks IAEA support to expand cancer screening and treatment

Jamaica is seeking support from the International Atomic Energy Agency to strengthen cancer services in the public health system, following technical discussions held in Geneva, Switzerland, Minister Tufton says.

The minister said the IAEA has been a longstanding partner in cancer treatment, with Jamaica currently operating two linear accelerators, one at St. Joseph’s and another at Cornwall Regional. He said the country needs to widen both screening and treatment as cancer cases, including breast, prostate and colon cancers, continue to rise.

Under the discussions, the IAEA is expected to send a technical team to Jamaica to review how the system can be expanded with additional equipment. Tufton said the Government would like to acquire four more linear accelerators over the next two to three years, while increasing capacity at St. Joseph’s and Cornwall Regional. He also pointed to plans for a cancer treatment facility in central Jamaica, possibly in Manchester at Land Cove.

Screening is another priority. Tufton said mammogram services were almost absent from the public system when he became minister, but there are now about three across different hospitals. He said the aim is to add at least six more, and possibly more than that, while exploring ways to offer screening through primary-care facilities, including newer or expanded health centres.

He said the wider goal is to more than double public-sector capacity for cancer treatment and cancer screening, with IAEA assistance.

The talks also covered training, as the specialised machines require skilled personnel to operate them. Tufton said Jamaica is looking at a programme with the IAEA, in partnership with the University of the West Indies or other institutions, to train more Jamaicans and improve human-resource capacity.

A third area is maintenance and servicing. The minister said the equipment is highly technical and requires specialised care, and that limited local capacity has contributed to delays. He said Jamaica hopes the IAEA technical visit will help advance the planned expansion of cancer treatment infrastructure over the next year.