The Caribbean Institute for Nuclear Imaging (ICIN), the first of its kind in the region, has officially opened in Martinique. This new facility offers specialized medical services for cancer screening and diagnosis, catering to both regional and international patients.
The facility, which cost €63 million (approximately US$81.5 million), has been financed by the Territorial Collectivity of Martinique (CTM) through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the REACT European Union initiative. The project is a collaborative effort involving the CTM, the Prefecture of Martinique, the Regional Health Agency (ARS), and the University Hospital of Martinique (CHUM). This state-of-the-art medical center aims to enhance healthcare services in the Caribbean by providing advanced nuclear imaging technologies for cancer detection.
“More than 10 years ago, Martinique began a reflection to strategically rethink its health development and redraw the map of its care offer, not only for Martinicans but also for all populations of the Caribbean,” said Serge Letchimy, President of the CTM Executive Council.
“The inauguration of the ICIN is therefore a major step forward. Through this major investment, CTM is confirming its commitment to contribute to quality local healthcare and the necessary improvement of health infrastructure.”
He said given the prevalence of cases of cancer and cardiovascular disease, it is essential that patients in Martinique, and the wider Caribbean, benefit from screening and diagnostic tools that are available through cutting-edge technological innovation without having to travel to Europe or other continents.
The Director General of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Dr Didacus Jules, speaking at the launch of the facility over the last weekend, said the facility “is a signal of hope…a brighter future for the people of the French territories, the OECS and the wider Caribbean.”
The OECS groups the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Kitts and Nevis and Montserrat.
“With this facility, we are making an unequivocal statement that access to world health care should not be a privilege, but right, regardless of the size of our nations,” Jules said, adding, “This initiative ensures that the people of our region can have access to cutting edge technology, treatment and early diagnosis.”
He said the availability of the facility to other Caribbean countries reinforces the principle of unity in regional integration, pooling resources, and sharing expertise.
“It also calls on us to continue to raise awareness and advocate for preventative measures in handling access to health care,” the OECS Director General added.
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