Regional experts, healthcare practitioners, and policy makers met in Grenada on March 18th and 19th for the OECS Regional Workshop for Development of a Cancer Prevention & Control Policy Framework, building on the scoping meeting held in October 2025.
The workshop was convened by the Caribbean Cancer Portal (CCP) in collaboration with St. George’s University (SGU), the Windward Islands Research and Education Foundation (WINDREF), and the Ministries of Health of the OECS Member States and supported by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO)/ World Health Organization (WHO) and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). The meeting was organized, recognizing that while several initiatives are ongoing in the OECS countries, a collaborative strategy would be the most effective for the small islands to tackle challenges related to cancer screening, research, treatment, palliative care, and data collection. The workshop brought together representatives from ministries of health, academic institutions, health authorities, the private and public health sectors, civil society organisations, and health financial institutions.
“This workshop is a historic event for the small island Caribbean States, creating the first comprehensive Caribbean Cancer Policy Framework for the OECS,” said Dr. Lindonne Telesford, Associate Professor at St. George’s University and Co-Founder of the Caribbean Cancer Portal.
Dr. Owen Gabriel, Consultant Oncologist, and Dr. Shana Cyr-Philbert, Senior Medical Officer with responsibility for Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases, and members of the Steering Committee of the Caribbean Cancer Portal, represented St. Lucia, making significant input regarding cancer in St Lucia and across the OECS countries.
This workshop is very relevant for St. Lucia as the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition continues to make strides in cancer surveillance and the promotion of equitable access to evidence based cancer screening, early detection and treatment programmes.
Dr. Marios Loukas, President of St. George’s University, and Dr. Mark Clunes, Provost at the University, delivered remarks at the event, highlighting the burden of cancer in the region and the opportunities the university and other institutions offer to address the challenge through partnerships and collaboration.
Grenada’s Prime Minister, Hon. Dickon Mitchell, commended the work done by the CCP and those collaborating on the policy development, noting that cancer has a very personal touch for many people who have been affected by the suffering and loss that can ensue. Special Advisor, Dr. C. James Hospedales of Earth Medic & Earth Nurse Foundation for Planetary Health, added valuable insights on the possibilities for inter-island collaboration across the Caribbean.
Dr. Taraleen Malcolm, Advisor for Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries, pledged ongoing support for the policy drafting and will head the newly formed working group to finalize the policy template for adoption to the context in each country. The policy framework is expected to be shared with ministries of health in the third quarter of this year.
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