FORT-DE-FRANCE, Martinique – The first Caribbean Institute for Nuclear Imaging (ICIN) has opened in the French-island of Martinique offering a unique medical facility for cancer screening and diagnosing services for regional and international patients.
OECS Director General, Dr. Didacus Jules addressing the launch of the Caribbean Institute for Nuclear Imaging (ICIN) in Martinique. (CMC Photo)The Euro 63 million (One Euro=US$1.29 cents) facility is financed by the Territorial Collectivity of Martinique (CTM) through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) within the framework of the REACT European Union system.
The facility is also a joint venture involving the CTM, the Prefecture of Martinique, the Regional Health Agency (ARS) and the University Hospital of Martinique (CHUM).
“More than 10 years ago, Martinique began a reflection to strategically rethink its health development and redraw the map of its care offer, not only for Martinicans, but also for all populations of the Caribbean,” said Serge Letchimy, president of the CTM Executive Council.
“The inauguration of the ICIN is therefore a major step forward. Through this major investment, CTM is confirming its commitment to contribute to a quality local healthcare and to the necessary improvement of health infrastructure.”
He said given the prevalence of cases of cancer and cardiovascular disease, it is essential that patients in Martinique, and the wider Caribbean, benefit from screening and diagnostic tools that are available through cutting edge of technological innovation without having to travel to Europe or other continents.
The Director General of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Dr. Didacus Jules, speaking at the launch of the facility over the last weekend, said the facility “is a signal of hope…a brighter future for the people of the French territories, the OECS and the wider Caribbean”.
The OECS groups the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St-Kitts-Nevis and Montserrat.
“With this facility we are making an unequivocal statement that access to world health care should not be a privilege, but right, regardless of the size of our nations,” Jules said, adding “this initiative ensures that the people of our region can have access to cutting edge technology, treatment and early diagnostic”.
He said the availability of the facility to other Caribbean countries reinforces the principle of unity in regional integration, pooling resources, sharing expertise.
“It also calls on us to continue to raise awareness and advocating for preventative measures in handling access to health care,” the OECS Director General added.
