NINE women on Jamaica’s public health sector waiting lists for specialised reproductive health surgeries have been given a new lease on life through a partnership involving the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), the National Healthcare Enhancement Foundation (NHEF), and a Diaspora-led team of international medical volunteers led by Dr Sandra Lindsay.

The partners collaborated to facilitate a specialised surgical mission focused on women’s reproductive health at the UHWI from October 20-23.

The mission focused primarily on minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, with open procedures performed where clinically appropriate. Five laparoscopic and four open procedures were completed.

Now in its fourth-consecutive year, the medical mission, coordinated by the Sandra Lindsay Foundation brought together seven volunteer medical professionals affiliated with Northwell Health in the United States. The volunteers contributed their time, expertise, and resources to provide specialised surgical care at no cost to patients.

The initiative combined UHWI’s clinical facilities and expertise, NHEF’s coordination and logistical support, and the specialised services of the visiting medical team to help improve access to women’s health care.

As the host institution, UHWI provided the clinical setting for the mission and supported the delivery of specialised surgical services in collaboration with the visiting medical professionals.

NHEF supported the mission through coordination with public health-care institutions, facilitation of the medical mission credential process, and logistical arrangements for the visiting volunteers, including accommodation and transportation.

Executive director of NHEF Courtney Cephas emphasised the importance of leveraging philanthropic partnerships and Diaspora expertise to address Jamaica’s health-care needs.

“In the Jamaican context, this is even more important today, given the challenges and demands on the Government’s coffer to support the many needs of the Jamaican economy. Our Diaspora, and friends of Jamaica, are indeed a tremendous asset that we must find ways of leveraging to meet our challenges.

“This engagement is a testament to such opportunity to leverage the professional, intellectual and philanthropic aspirations of the Diaspora and friends of Jamaica,” said Cephas.

For his part, Dr Carl Bruce, senior director, clinical services at the UHWI, highlighted the importance of international collaboration and multidisciplinary health care.

“International collaboration and multidisciplinary approaches to health care have become integral to advancing standards of care worldwide. The recently signed memorandum of understanding between Northwell Health and UHWI, together with the visit of Dr Sandra Lindsay and her team, underscores our commitment to global health-care collaboration and represents another step towards strengthening our university’s higher education global ranking,” said Bruce.

For the visiting volunteers, the mission reflected a sustained commitment to supporting women in Jamaica through professional service, collaboration, and the sharing of specialised medical expertise.

Meanwhile, Lindsay reflected on the personal significance of returning to Jamaica for a fourth consecutive year.

“Growing up in Jamaica, I learned that service is a responsibility, and when we can make a difference, we have an obligation to act. That belief has guided my life and my work. Returning for a fourth consecutive year to serve the country that shaped me is both deeply personal and an immense honour.

“I am profoundly grateful to our extraordinary volunteers who give so generously of their time, expertise, and compassion, working alongside our Jamaican colleagues to improve the health and lives of women. There is no greater reward than knowing that, together, we are making a meaningful difference,” said Lindsay.