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Britanya Moore / Contributor

Residents across Manchester and neighbouring parishes are welcoming the introduction of colonoscopy services at the Mandeville Regional Hospital, describing it as a major step forward for public healthcare in central Jamaica.

Hospital administrators confirmed that the diagnostic procedure used to detect colorectal cancer, polyps and other gastrointestinal conditions is now being offered at the Type B facility, reducing the need for patients to travel to Kingston or seek costly private care.

Chairman of the South East Regional Health Authority, Wayne Chen, described it as a valuable addition to the hospital’s offerings.

“Any new service that we can offer in the public health system is a good thing,” Chen said. “A colonoscopy in private practice can cost approximately $100,000, but in the public system it is provided free of cost. This is an important screening tool for colon cancer, which claims the lives of many Jamaicans each year.”

He added that the service strengthens the hospital’s capacity to provide comprehensive care to patients in central Jamaica.

 Consultant General Surgeon at Mandeville Regional Hospital, Dr Andrew Josephs, said the service has already seen significant demand since its introduction, with a growing waiting list.

“We have a waiting list now of roughly 150 patients,” he said, noting that the demand highlights a long-standing gap in access to the procedure in the region.

For years, many patients in Manchester, St Elizabeth and Clarendon were referred to hospitals in private institutions for the specialised screening. The addition of the service at Mandeville Regional is expected to ease financial strain on families and shorten waiting times for critical testing.

Dr Josephs cautioned that while access is improving, a major concern remains is the late stage at which many patients seek care.

“Unfortunately, the majority of our patients may be about 70 to 75 per cent present for emergency surgical care because of complications,” he said. “They come in with obstruction, where they cannot pass stool, or with significant bleeding.”

He explained that such late presentations significantly reduce survival outcomes and place additional strain on the healthcare system.

Medical practitioners have long emphasized the importance of early screening for colorectal cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the region. The Ministry of Health and Wellness reported approximately 800 cases in 2020 alone. Health officials say early detection significantly improves survival rates, making accessibility to testing crucial.

Dr Josephs is now urging Jamaicans to take a proactive approach to screening, even in the absence of symptoms.

“Everybody should try to get their first colonoscopy at age 45, whether male or female,” he said. “If it is normal, then you may not need another for about 10 years.”

He also warned that certain symptoms should never be ignored, stating that if there’s any blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss, or changes in bowel habits, those are things that should prompt you to see a doctor immediately. 

As word spreads about the expanded service, many residents in Manchester are hopeful that continued investment in regional hospitals will strengthen Jamaica’s public health system and improve access to specialised care outside the capital.