The SickKids-Caribbean Initiative (SCI) is continuing its mission to improve patient outcomes for children in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean diagnosed with cancer and blood disorders.

Since 2013, SCI has worked with partners across the Caribbean to transform the diagnosis and care of children with cancer and blood disorders in Jamaica, The Bahamas, Barbados, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago.

To date, the programme has invested approximately US$10 million to train doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals in paediatric haematology and oncology, to improve data collection on patient outcomes and to enhance treatment protocols for certain disorders. 

The initiative is now seeking to raise US$6.5 million to ensure that the improvements in outcomes for children are sustained in the future.

“This programme has resulted in the earlier identification of cancer and blood disorders in children, better treatment plans and, ultimately, more children beating cancer in Jamaica and the Caribbean,” said Bruce Bowen, co-chair of the SickKids-Caribbean Initiative advisory council.

Added Bowen: “When we launched SCI, the little information available indicated that no one knew what the childhood cancer survival rate was, compared to a survival rate of 85-90 per cent in North America. We are seeing improved outcomes for children with cancer and blood disorders, and with a sustainable programme we expect to close the gap.”

Throughout the years, the company aim has always been to improve childcare health around the world.

“Our mandate for global childcare health is to build capacity and sustainability in countries around the world through partnerships. We believe that where you live shouldn’t determine if you live,” noted Colin Henninger, vice president of SickKids Foundation in Toronto, Canada.

SCI has had a positive impact through its well planned, multi-faceted approach to enhancing patient care.

Seven telemedicine units were built across the region with Jamaica currently benefiting through the Bustamante Hospital for Children and the University Hospital of the West Indies.

This investment allows doctors to obtain case consultations with specialists across the Caribbean and at SickKids Hospital in Toronto.

Working with local governments, all children in Jamaica, St Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago are today screened for sickle cell at birth.

Dr Sharon McLean-Salmon said the SickKids Caribbean Initiative in Jamaica has been impactful in the training of medical professionals.

“Before this programme, there was no one in Jamaica with the specialist knowledge needed to treat children with these diseases,” McLean-Salmon noted.

“The programme has benefited me tremendously,” said Dr Michelle Reece-Mills, who is now Jamaica’s only trained physician specialising in children’s cancer and blood disorders at the Bustamante Hospital for Children.

Reece-Mills continued: “Because of the programme, doctors are now aware of the extent and type of diseases within the population. We are now equipped with the knowledge on how to successfully treat these diseases.”

Having achieved significant success under the programme, SCI has established the Dr Victor Blanchette Caribbean Endowment Fund to ensure the sustainability of the initiative. 

Their goal is to raise US$6.5 million across the region to fund ongoing training, data collection, case consultations and programme governance in perpetuity.