Mobile lithotripsy non-invasive procedure comes to Jamaica

Integra-Tech Health-care Foundation, a charitable foundation in Kingston, made it possible for Jamaica Urological Partners (JUP), a group of 15 Jamaican urologists, to perform the island's first mobile lithotripsy procedure last month.

The procedure was first performed at Montego Bay Hospital and Urology Centre in St James.

The Andrews Memorial Hospital in St Andrew is a partner hospital, with a fully equipped lithotripsy unit for the convenience of patients in central and eastern Jamaica, to perform the procedure.

Lithotripsy technology breaks kidney stones with shockwaves as a non-invasive outpatient procedure. Seventeen per cent of the population will have kidney stones in their lifetime.

The alternatives to shockwave lithotripsy involve invasive surgery, resulting in longer recovery times.

The lithotripsy machine and technician will travel back and forth from Montego Bay to Kingston so that the procedures can be performed at different hospitals and ambulatory surgery centres in each region.

"Jamaica Healthcare Foundation is very pleased to be able to expand access to this technology to all the people of Jamaica," said Sydney Stephens, chairman of Integra-Tech.

The foundation imported a shockwave lithotripsy machine from the United States earlier this year.

PAINLESS PROCEDURE

Courtney Heslop, who resides in Montego Bay, was the recipient of the first lithotripsy treatment under the foundation.

"I'm so happy that I could receive this treatment. It was painless and I went home about an hour after it was done," she shared.

Errol Mallett, a urologist from Jamaica and a founding member of the foundation, stated: "With over 30 years of urology experience in the United States, I am encouraged by the partnership that has been developed between JUP and Integra. This mobile approach helps to expand access to the lithotripsy procedure for all patients throughout Jamaica."

JUP accepts most health insurance cards and also considers many patients for charity care by working with the foundation, thereby expanding access to those who would not be able to afford the procedure otherwise.