Montserrat faces a healthcare crisis marked by rising rates of chronic illnesses, late-stage cancer diagnoses, and inadequate emergency care, as outlined in a recent presentation by Dr. Ingrid Buffonge, Minister of Health. The new minister, who is herself a physician, said the United Alliance government is committed to tackling these challenges with a vision of improved health outcomes, economic growth, and increased public confidence in the island’s healthcare system.
The Alarming Health Crisis
Dr. Buffonge highlighted alarming statistics: prevalence rates of diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol are approaching 25%, driven by genetic predispositions and a westernised lifestyle. These conditions lead to severe complications, including strokes, heart attacks, amputations, and end-stage kidney disease.
“Too many Montserratians face untimely deaths or disabilities that could be prevented with better healthcare management,” Dr. Buffonge stated.
Challenges in Emergency Care
Montserrat’s emergency care is under strain, with critical gaps in staffing and resources. Currently, the hospital lacks a 24-hour on-site doctor, an emergency medicine consultant, and clear guidelines for managing major medical emergencies such as strokes and heart attacks. The medevac system is slow, further endangering lives.
“We’re losing valuable time during medical emergencies,” Dr. Buffonge said. “Heart attack patients need intervention within hours, not days.”
Cancer Detection and Chronic Illness Management
Late-stage cancer diagnoses remain a significant issue, with many cases discovered too late for effective treatment. Dr. Buffonge also emphasised the urgent need for enhanced screening programmes for prostate, breast, cervical, and gastrointestinal cancers, as well as local access to eye and vascular care to prevent complications like amputations.
Proposed Solutions
The government’s multi-pronged approach includes:
- Strengthening Emergency Services: Hiring an emergency medicine consultant, increasing doctor availability, and creating a fast, efficient medevac system.
- Enhancing Chronic Illness Care: Expanding access to dialysis, eye clinics, and vascular care to manage complications of diabetes and hypertension.
- Cancer Prevention and Screening: Launching cancer registries, improving local endoscopy services, and intensifying public health campaigns.
- Building Research Capacity: Studying cancer prevalence, Helicobacter pylori infection rates, and trauma outcomes to better inform healthcare policies.
“Helicobacter pylori is a bacteria that causes stomach cancer if it’s present in your stomach over time. Our prevalence rates in Montserrat for stomach cancer are significant, and there was one year when we ran Lee’s Pharmacy out of medication for Helicobacter pylori because it was so common. So we need a study,” explained the health minister.
“We want to do cancer incidence and prevalence studies. There are familial clusters here of cancer. There are people who I’m sure here, who knows, oh yeah, my auntie had cancer, my cousin had cancer, my grandmother had cancer. Therefore, we need to know who you are. We need to know who these families are so we can prioritize in terms of cancer screening,” she continued.
Health Financing and Sustainability
Dr. Buffonge stressed the need for sustainable health financing through expanded insurance coverage, mandatory travel insurance for visitors, and a government-controlled emergency fund to assist uninsured residents.
“Healthcare costs money, but no one should be left without care in a crisis,” she affirmed.
A Vision for First-Class Healthcare
The United Alliance government envisions a future where Montserrat provides first-class healthcare, reduces death and disability, retains its workforce, and attracts diaspora and investor confidence.
“Our goal is sustainable progress in healthcare,” said Minister Buffonge. “With improved systems, better outcomes, and dedicated resources, Montserrat can thrive both in health and in prosperity.”
