Nassau, Bahamas ? With the donation of a colposcope from the Government of Spain, the Ministry of Health through the South Beach Clinic is now able to assist patients with detection and treatment of cervical cancer.

Spanish Ambassador to The Bahamas, Jesus Silva, formally handed over the colposcope to Dr Pearl McMillan, Director of the Department of Public Health at the South Beach Clinic last Thursday.

The Government of Spain through the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) has allocated $250,000 to fund a multi-phase project geared towards early detection and treatment of cervical cancer.

The Government of Spain has committed to donating a colposcope to each of the participating countries.

The high incidence of cervical cancer in the Caribbean is considered a ?priority area for assistance? according to a release from the Embassy of Spain.

The first phase of the project was a ?train the trainers? workshop in colposcopy and in the treatment of pre-invasive lesions.

It was held in June at the Mona Campus, University Hospital, University of the West Indies, Jamaica for experts from across the region.

The funding is being channeled through the CARICOM-Spain Joint Fund.

Pictured from left during the presentation are Dr Pearl McMillan, Director, Department of Public Health; Jesus Silva, Spanish Ambassador to The Bahamas; Veronica Rolle, South Beach Clinic Administrator; Dr Darron Hallendale, Registrar, OBGYN Unit, Princess Margaret Hospital; and Charlene Bain, Acting Administrator, Department of Public Health.

(BIS photo/Patrick Hanna)