Hope for paediatric cancer patients

An attempt has been made to fast-track how cancers are detected and treated in this country.

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said through a collaboration with the Royal Bank of Canada, TT now has at its disposal a flow cytometre which is expected to significantly advance how cancers are detected, particularly in children, in 2019.

"Currently, we have to send blood samples abroad. But we will be able to have those samples looked at locally in 2019," Deyalsingh told reporters during a visit today to the Just Because Ward of the Wendy Fitzwilliam Paediatric Hospital, Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope.

"So that is a wonderful collaboration we are looking forward to and that will significantly advance how we treat with these kids."

The flow cytometre is expected to be commissioned by the end of next month.