Women of Montserrat will now be able to get life-saving mammograms on island.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) announced they are now offering mammography services for residents of Montserrat at the Glendon Hospital Radiology Department.
The new service is part of the ministry’s mission to improve community health outcomes by facilitating timely diagnosis and proactive healthcare interventions.
As of Monday, October 28, licensed physicians in Montserrat; to include medical officers within the Ministry of Health and private physicians can submit medical referrals for mammography services.
Prior to this, women had to travel to Antigua or further afield to have mammograms if they received a referral from their local doctor. Since 2009, the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk has raised funds to allow for more than 500 women in Montserrat to travel to Antigua for mammograms.
Ministry officials said local doctors have received comprehensive resources, including updated screening guidelines in keeping with best international practices, referral forms and patient information sheets, to facilitate efficient and effective use of the new mammography services.
Once a referral is submitted to a patient, patients are encouraged to contact the Medical Records Department at Glendon Hospital to schedule appointments. The department will provide detailed information about fees associated with the service. Payment is required prior to the appointment. Individuals in need of financial support are encouraged to request assistance from their physicians so that the appropriate application can be made through the Office of the Chief Medical Officer prior to making appointments.
“This rollout is the result of the hard work and dedication of many individuals committed to delivering high-quality care to our community. I would like to express my gratitude to the MoHSS team, Project Management Office (PMO) team, Governor’s Office/
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO); as well as our other healthcare partners and all stakeholders whose hard work and dedication made this possible,” said Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sharra Greenaway-Duberry. “We are also deeply appreciative of the public’s patience and support as we prepared this service for launch. It’s our goal to offer every Montserrat resident accessible, comprehensive care and this new service is a powerful addition to that mission.”
For additional information on mammography services, scheduling or financial assistance, contact the Medical Records Department at the Glendon Hospital at telephone number 664-491-2552.
