Seven receive scoliosis procedures

Seven patients at the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) received care during a two-day scoliosis surgical mission on October 9-10.

Six of the patients received corrective spine surgeries, while the other was fitted with a halo traction which will help to stretch the spine. The mission, held in partnership with the Back to Healing (BTH) Foundation, aimed to address severe cases of scoliosis among adolescents, restoring mobility and improving their quality of life. As part of this year's mission, a 15-member surgical and support team from the US hosted a series of lectures at KPH's auditorium. The session brought together orthopaedic and neurosurgery residents from KPH and the University Hospital of the West Indies, along with nurses and physiotherapists. The lectures and hands-on training provided critical exposure to advanced spinal surgery techniques, equipping local professionals with tools to better manage complex spinal conditions.

According to the founder of BTH Foundation, Marcus John, the entity is committed to Jamaica's long-term orthopaedic development.

"We've officially established this medical mission as an annual partnership with KPH, and we plan to continue returning year after year," he said. In addition to the training and surgical mission, the BTH team gave KPH the remaining supplies from this mission. Due to financial constraints, many parents are unable to afford these essential implants, making the donation a vital support to patient care at the hospital.

A grateful Dr Ian Neil, head of orthopaedics at KPH, said a major highlight of this mission was the donation of mobile halo-gravity traction equipment, which allows doctors to safely prepare patients with severe spinal deformities for surgery.

"One patient is already benefiting from its use. While local expertise exists to perform these complex procedures, the necessary implants and equipment are often too costly or unavailable for most of our patients," he said, noting the donation helps to reduce the hospital's long waiting list.