ST ANN’S BY, St Ann — The diagnosis and treatment of urological and genito-urinary system conditions at the Urology Department at the St Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital has been bolstered with the provision of key equipment from Sandals Foundation.

Following the successful fund-raising efforts of the Sandals Golf and Jerk Festival held in June this year, the philanthropic organisation recently presented several specialised equipment valued at some US$10,000 to aid the medical team in their ability to diagnose and treat prostate kidney, ureter, and bladder disorders as well as ailments of the male reproductive organs.

Accepting the items, which included a mobile endoscopic unit, bipolar cautery forceps, biopsy gun, and Ligaclip applicators, Dr Marie Brown, urologist at the St Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital, said, “Our Urology Department is new and this equipment are very important to have it function and provide essential services to patients.”

Dr Tanya Hamilton, senior medical officer, said Sandals Foundation’s contribution will significantly enhance the quality of life for patients diagnosed with prostate cancer through early detection, diagnosis, and treatment, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes.

“The mobile endoscopic tower,” she continued, “will allow us to see the urine passage making it possible for the placement of difficult urethral catheters and it will help with diagnostic procedures in the operating room. The Ligaclip applicators will help control troublesome bleeding in patients’ during open surgeries, while the other equipment will help with a wide range of procedures and needs of patients with varying urological conditions from benign diseases to cancers.”

Heidi Clarke, executive director, Sandals Foundation, said, “The support of communities’ health-care infrastructure is a core area of our work because we fundamentally believe that the wealth of our island’s families is connected to their access to education, services, and treatment that preserve their health.“

The foundation’s annual golf and jerk tournament, she said, “has been an instrumental event to invest in our island’s healthcare and we are honoured that we were able to help meet some of the critical needs of the medical professionals here at the St Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital”.

The event, which is held at the Sandals Upton Estate Golf and Country Club, is made possible with support of teams at the golf course, Sandals Ocho Rios Resort, and a host of corporate partners.

Over the last four years, proceeds raised from the festival have been used to improve security systems for doctors and patients at the Port Maria Hospital, as well as support the stroke prevention and rehabilitation programme at St Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital’s Physiotherapy Department.