With the Increased Capacity For Cancer Screening & Diagnostics designation of the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory as a World Health Organization (WHO) National Influenza Centre, the Ministry of Health and Wellness is looking to enhance its capacity for the early detection and treatment of cancer, which is among the top 10 causes of deaths in Barbados.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Davidson Ishmael, made this disclosure at a ceremony on Monday, which also recognised the laboratory as a member of the WHO’s Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System.

The laboratory, which started operating in 2018, was integral in the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic, conducting over hundreds of thousands of tests during the last three years.

Mr. Ishmael said that as the Ministry of Health expands its capacity to monitor noncommunicable diseases, including cancer, surveillance and enhanced diagnostics would be key to addressing early detection and monitoring.

To this end, he explained that the Barbados Living Laboratory Project was established and will be instrumental in the area of cancer research.

“The goal of the Living Lab is to provide enhanced laboratory services in Barbados in areas of cancer diagnostics, which includes immunohistochemistry staining, analysis of cancer biomarkers, flow cytometry, genetic testing, and more.

“The Ministry of Health Wellness is enhancing its capacity for early detection and treatment of cancers through updated cancer screening guidelines and diagnosis, including genomic sequencing for cancers or respiratory viruses, such as COVID-19 and influenza A and B. More specifically, and relative to cancer screening, the Ministry has engaged urologists to devise a screening protocol for prostate cancer, while simultaneously working with our partners at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to update our cervical cancer screening guidelines, and this is currently under expert review,” he disclosed.

He further noted that a screening protocol for breast cancer is being created and guidelines to improve colorectal cancer screening were being developed. Additionally, he said the Ministry has created an initiative which will strengthen screening by enhancing laboratory capacity and improving access to colonoscopies.

The Minister of State also shared that protocols have been developed in collaboration with local gastroenterologists and additional resources have been mobilised at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) to purchase new scopes. The matter of the number of scoping suites was also being addressed, he said.

Moreover, he stated that the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory would work closely with the QEH laboratory to strengthen the national efforts towards antimicrobial resistance surveillance and monitoring. 

“Barbados has a long history of prioritising public health. Today is indeed a momentous occasion, as we gather to recognise the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory as the WHO National Influenza Centre. This achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and commitment of countless numbers of heroes who are, on a daily basis, involved in ensuring the health and well being of our citizens,” Mr. Ishmael said. (PR/GIS)