The SickKids-Caribbean Initiative (SCI) continues its quest to improve patient outcomes for children in the Caribbean diagnosed with cancer and blood disorders.

Since 2013, SCI has worked with partners across the Caribbean to transform the diagnosis and care of children with cancer and blood disorders in Jamaica, The Bahamas, Barbados, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. The programme has to date invested almost US$10 million to train doctors, nurses and health-care professionals in paediatric haematology and oncology, to improve data collection on patient outcomes and to enhance treatment protocols for certain disorders.

The initiative is now seeking to raise US$6.5 million to ensure that the improvements in outcomes for children are sustained in the future.

Bruce Bowen, co-chair of SCI Advisory Council, noted: “This programme has resulted in the earlier identification of cancer and blood disorders in children, better treatment plans and, ultimately, more children beating cancer in Jamaica and the Caribbean.”

He explained, “When we launched SCI the little information available indicated that no one knew what the children childhood cancer survival rate was, compared to a survival rate of 85-90 per cent in North America. We are seeing improved outcomes for children with cancer and blood disorders, and with a sustainable programme we expect to close the gap.”

Colin Henninger, vice-president of SickKids Foundation in Toronto, noted, “Our mandate for global childcare health is to build capacity and sustainability in countries around the world through partnerships. We believe that where you live shouldn’t determine if you live.”

SCI has had a positive impact through its well-planned, multifaceted approach to enhancing patient care. Seven telemedicine units were built across the region with Jamaica currently benefiting through the Bustamante Hospital for Children and the University Hospital of the West Indies. This investment allows doctors to obtain case consultations with specialists across the Caribbean and at SickKids Hospital in Toronto. Working with local governments, all children in Jamaica, St Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago are today screened for sickle cell at birth.

Commenting on the efforts of the SCI in Jamaica, Dr Sharon McLean-Salmon noted, “SCI has been an impactful initiative in training medical professionals.” She continued, “Before this programme, there was no one in Jamaica with the specialist knowledge needed to treat children with these diseases.”

“The programme has benefited me tremendously,” said Dr Michelle Reece-Mills, who is now Jamaica’s only trained physician specialising in children’s cancer and blood disorders at the Bustamante Hospital for Children. She added: “Because of the programme, doctors are now aware of the extent and type of diseases within the population. We are now equipped with the knowledge on how to successfully treat these diseases.”

Having achieved significant success under the programme, SCI has established the Dr Victor Blanchette Caribbean Endowment Fund to ensure the sustainability of the initiative.

The goal is to raise US$6.5 million across the region to fund ongoing training, data collection, case consultations and programme governance in perpetuity.