Fort-de-France, November 23, 2024 – The first Caribbean Institute for Nuclear Imaging (ICIN) was officially opened in Martinique today by the Territorial Collectivity of Martinique (CTM), the Prefecture of Martinique, the Regional Health Agency (ARS) and the University Hospital of Martinique (CHUM).
The French Caribbean territory is now offering this unique medical facility for cancer screening and diagnosing services for regional and international visitors. Access to this world-class infrastructure marks a major step forward for the treatment of cancer, cardiology and neurology patients in Martinique and the greater Caribbean.
Present at the official inauguration of ICIN were Dr. Didacus Jules, Director General of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Mr. Serge Letchimy, President of the Executive Council, CTM, Mrs. Anne Bruant-Bisson, Director General, ARS, Mr. Jérôme Le Brière, Director General, CHUM and many other dignitaries.
The ICIN is a world class centre of excellence in medical imaging, with high-precision equipment, including:
- 1 Cyclotron, which enables the local production of radiopharmaceutical drugs required for advanced imaging examinations,
- 1 PET MRI and 1 PET SCAN, two tools that combine molecular and anatomical imaging for optimal diagnostic accuracy;
- 1 PET GRAND CHAMP, new generation device, ideal for early detection of cancers.
Thanks to this cutting-edge technology, ICIN will provide patients in Martinique and the Caribbean with access to detailed and rapid diagnostics, thus avoiding travel outside of the region for specialized medical examinations. The medical facility with a surface of 4,545 m2 (50,000 sqft approx.) places Martinique in the world Top 10 for this type of equipment, offering new patients a shorter diagnostic journey, allowing all necessary examinations to be carried out in a single day.
The Caribbean Institute of Nuclear Imaging represents an investment of 63m Euros (over 67m US Dollars), which has been financed by CTM through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) within the framework of the REACT EU system, was the financier of the entire operation.
According to Serge Letchimy, President of the Executive Council, CTM, “More than ten years ago, Martinique began a reflection to strategically rethink its health development and redraw the map of its care offer, not only for Martinicans, but also for all populations of the Caribbean. The inauguration of the ICIN is therefore a major step forward! Through this major investment, CTM is confirming its commitment to contribute to a quality local healthcare and to the necessary improvement of health infrastructure. Given the prevalence of cases of cancer and cardiovascular disease, it is essential that patients in Martinique, and the greater Caribbean, benefit from screening and diagnostic tools that are available through cutting edge of technological innovation without having to travel to Europe or other continents.”
For further information, please contact the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Martinique, CS 90632 – 97261 Fort de France Cedex, Martinique, FWI, telephone : +596-596 55 20 00, or visit: https://www.chu-martinique.fr/un-institut-caribeen-dimagerie-nucleaire-au-chum.
Editors’ notes:
About CHU Martinique:
The University Hospital of Martinique is a public health institution that has a triple mission of care, teaching and research. The CHU Martinique comprises 7 hospitals that are available in the French territory of Martinique.
About the Territorial Collectivity of Martinique (CTM):
The Territorial Collectivity of Martinique (CTM) is the single local authority of the French Overseas Territory of Martinique, incorporating the Departmental Council and the Regional Council of Martinique. Created by law in 2011, its executive body is the executive council composed of 9 executive directors, chaired by its president Serge Letchimy. Its legislative body is the General Assembly of Martinique, composed of 51 councillors, chaired by its president Lucien Saliber.
The CTM’s competences are those of a French region and French department. It is responsible for economic development, education, vocational training, transport, health and social development, as well as regional cooperation.
For further information, visit: https://www.collectivitedemartinique.mq
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