A Guyanese-born oncologist is the driving force behind a cancer care programme set up in Grenada with a $1 million donation from telecommunications giant Digicel.
Dr Carl Niamatali said the National Cancer Registry will cater to the needs of countries of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, at the launch of the programme last Friday. According to a report on the online version of the Grenada Broadcasting Net-work, Dr Niamatali pointed out that persons seeking treatment for cancer do not have the luxury of time.
In his address at the function, former Chief Medical Officer, Dr Bert Braithwaite, said the clinic will improve the quality and delivery of care to patients. He also said he wants Grenada to be at the forefront of the provision of radiotherapy for cancer patients.
It was also reported that Hermilin Ashton, who chaired the function, said cervical cancer is the second most common form of cancer in women. Ashton also said most of the cases treated in Grenada are breast cancer cases.
More than 300 patients have already been treated at the clinic and plans are in train to expand the service to ensure that every Grenadian has early access to world class cancer treatment right at home, the report said.
Dr Niamatali once practised in the New Amsterdam area and was once the secretary of the Berbice Medical Council.
