Mandeville hospital performs first colonoscopy in 'breakthrough' for healthcare in southern Jamaica

The Mandeville Regional Hospital in Manchester has performed its first-ever colonoscopy, signaling what it says is a “breakthrough in public healthcare ” for residents and neighbouring parishes.

A colonoscopy involves inserting a thin, flexible tube equipped with a light and camera into the rectum and guiding it through the colon. The procedure allows doctors to closely examine the lining of the large intestine, take biopsies, and carry out certain medical interventions when necessary.

Dr Andrew Josephs, surgical consultant at the hospital said the hospital had not traditionally offered colonoscopy services, forcing patients to travel to other major public hospitals, seek private care, or go overseas for the procedure.

“After a number of years, we are finally here, we have one of the most advanced system actually on the island, possibly I think within the Caribbean as well, it really is a state-of-the-art system,” he said in a statement from the Southern Regional Health Authority on Wednesday. “We were able to get the system through a set of donors. So, there’s Food for the Poor and there’s the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they were really the main donors for this system.”

He said the introduction of the service is expected to improve early detection of colorectal cancer, the third most common cancer in Jamaica, and reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment.

Since the recent introduction of the service, the hospital has completed two colonoscopies and one upper gastrointestinal gastroscopy, despite hurricane-related delays. Certification training has been finalised, and the programme is expected to expand.

Dr Josephs said that once fully operational, the hospital aims to perform between six and 10 endoscopic procedures per day, with at least one dedicated day weekly for colonoscopies.

He urged persons between ages 45 and 50 to undergo screening, noting that colon cancer can be asymptomatic in its early stages.

“It is better to know than not to know,” he said.

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