PM targets cutting-edge medical tech to fix healthcare

Barbados is poised to transform its healthcare system with groundbreaking medical technologies, including faster cancer screening tools, portable disease testing devices, and a revolutionary alternative to nuclear medicine, Prime Minister Mia Mottley has announced.

Discussions are underway with several global companies to bring these advancements here, she said as she opened the Barbados Living Laboratory at the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory in the Enmore Complex, Martindale’s Road.

She noted that some of these companies—expected to visit for the upcoming CARICOM summit—are already expanding into the Caribbean.

One of the technologies highlighted by Mottley is a new screening tool designed to detect breast cancer at earlier stages. She emphasised the importance of proactive testing, particularly among Black women, who are often diagnosed at more advanced stages.

“There is not enough sensitivity to early testing,” she said. “We need to improve it. We have been talking about this, and it is time for action.”

Mottley also pointed to a non-radioactive alternative to nuclear medicine that could reduce the cost of diagnosing and monitoring breast cancer and melanoma.

“I would imagine that the interest in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and all of the hospitals in this country will be very, very high once this can hit the market. Quite frankly, this is a game-changer,” she said.

Another innovation under consideration is a handheld disease testing device capable of detecting viruses, bacteria, and fungi in real time.

“This makes access to testing cheaper and available to a wider footprint of persons than what currently exists,” Mottley explained, adding that it could also benefit agriculture by helping farmers manage outbreaks such as bird flu.

Mottley also hinted at a potential partnership between UWI Cave Hill and a biotech company developing immune system testing technology. This platform could assist pharmaceutical firms in reducing reliance on animal testing.

“The company has created a disease testing platform which can be adapted to detect a wide range of viruses, bacteria, and fungi,” she said.

While discussions with some companies are advanced, Mottley noted that no final agreements have been reached yet. But she underscored Barbados’ commitment to leading in medical innovation for the benefit of its citizens.

“We are committed to reducing the mortality rate of breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer in this country,” she said. “We see too many patients cut from their prime as a result of the inability to do early diagnostics and treatment.”

shannamoore@barbadostoday.bb