| Oncology clinic open on Providenciales | | Print | |
| Thursday, 16 February 2012 15:27 | |||
 Cancer patients in the Turks and Caicos Islands now have an oncology center where they can get clinical consultations and additional diagnosis when necessary. Located at the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre on Providenciales, the project has been developed by InterHealth Canada in conjunction with government, the Ministry of Health and Human Services, the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) and The Cancer Centre of the Bahamas. There will also be chemotherapy services available using the hospital’s recently installed state of the art chemotherapeutic admixture unit. The treatment will be administered utilising the staff and skills of the Bahamas Cancer Centre, the only cancer centre in the Caribbean accredited by the American College of Radiation Oncology. The monthly clinic was first held Jan. 31, when more than 20 patients were seen. To mark the opening, islanders are being invited to a public meeting entitled “Cancer – Causes, Treatment and Prevention” at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre on Feb. 27 at 5 p.m. Space is limited for the public meeting, so anyone wishing to attend should call 649-246-8832 as soon as possible. Keynote speakers will be world renowned cancer experts Professor Arthur Porter from Canada and U.K.-based Professor Karol Sikora, who jointly head the specialist oncology team working with InterHealth Canada. “There are too many unnecessary tragedies among our people,” said Porter, director of radiation oncology at the The Cancer Centre, Bahamas, and chairman of CancerPartners U.K. “Understanding the importance of prevention, early detection and treatment can turn a historically fatal illness into an illness which can be cured. “Our team will ensure the very best of care to the population of the Turks and Caicos Islands.” Until now, cancer sufferers in the TCI have been forced to go off-island for both consults and treatment, which has been a traumatic burden for both patients and their family members. It has also proved an expensive and inconvenient process for all concerned. The opening of the cancer care unit means sufferers can now receive expert care and attention on their doorsteps through regular clinics and consultations with chemotherapy usually provided on island. Radiotherapy services will still require off-island stays and will be co-ordinated with NHIP. InterHealth Canada Chief Executive Dr. Roger Cheesman said the launch of oncology services marks another huge step forward in the provision of health care in the TCI. “We are delighted to bring yet another service to these beautiful islands and ensure that the best possible care can be provided to our patients,” Cheesman said. “We hope that the commencement of this clinic and chemotherapy treatments will dramatically reduce the stress so often encountered by patients and families, who find the need to travel overseas for care an added worry.” Photo: Professor Arthur Porter
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