Advanced technology gives big boost to Jamaica’s breast cancer testing capabilities
Jan. 16, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica. Thursday, January 16, 2025: Jamaica has strengthened its diagnostic capacity with the recommissioning of a new immunohistochemistry (IHC) machine for advanced breast cancer testing. Available at the National Public Health Laboratory, the machine being commissioned, the Ventana, not only helps in confirming a cancer diagnosis but also supports prognosis and treatment by providing invaluable information about the origin and characteristics of the cancer, which is critical for personalising patient treatment plans.
“The Ventana will enable our laboratory professionals to perform analyses with greater speed, sensitivity, and specificity. This improves the service delivery offered within the public health system by bolstering our testing capacity and turnaround time,” said Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, MP, during an inauguration ceremony on Wednesday (January 15, 2025). Notably, Jamaica is the first Caribbean country to offer local immunohistochemistry testing. “It means that patients won’t have to pursue resources overseas and incur expensive costs to access this critical technology,” the Minister continued.