MINISTER of Health Dr Fenton Ferguson last week disclosed to the Jamaica Observer that plans are afoot to have a cancer centre at the St Joseph’s Hospital in Kingston within the next 18 months.

While speaking with Your Health Your Wealth, Ferguson divulged that his ministry is also looking to acquire two radiation machines.

The minister said these steps are in keeping with the Health Ministry’s big ideas project, which focuses on cancer.

“The question of radiation treatment is a critical aspect of that project, and it is extremely expensive in the private sector and Government sector,” Ferguson explained. “…We send our patients to private sector for treatment, but if someone has to go to these private sector persons to do radiation, a full course of radiation could run them as much as $1.8 million, even as the ministry would pay probably about $600,000.”

The minister said against that background, the Health Ministry has been working towards acquiring two state-of-the-art radiation machines for radiation treatment.

“We are at a critical stage now, it is far advanced,” Ferguson offered, adding that he has to report to Cabinet before disclosing more information.

Asked about the cancer centres which Your Health Your Wealth reported are to be constructed on the island, Ferguson responded: “We are going to be building a centre of excellence in Kingston at St Joseph’s Hospital.”

Stating that he was unable to provide a figure as to how much the centre of excellence will cost, the minister offered that he expects everything to be through in the next 18 months.

“I wouldn’t be able to tell you a figure at this point, but I can tell you it is a joint effort between the National Health Fund, CHASE Fund, and a number of other (individuals).”

Your Health Your Wealth reported in January that the Emmy Award-winning, Detroit, Michigan-based medical lifestyle talk show Ask Dr Nandi will this year feature a special edition: Ask Dr Nandi in the Tropics, that will be filmed in Jamaica for broadcast locally, in the wider Caribbean and the world. This programme will also try to raise funds for the cancer centre.

The minister also weighed in on the upcoming show: “I think it is an excellent programme. I think it is now being viewed in over 20 countries… Jamaica will benefit.

“I think it will do well for both sectors, health and tourism and health tourism,” Ferguson declared.