The Minister for Health and Care, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, unveiled a commemorative plaque on Friday 11th October recognising the significant contributions made by Breast Cancer Support Gibraltar to improve patient experience at the St Bernard’s Hospital Radiology Department.

Breast Cancer Support Gibraltar is a charity and pressure group officially launched in June 2007, which was instrumental in the introduction of the GHA’s breast screening programme for women between the ages of 40 and 70.  The group has a close relationship with the Gibraltar Health Authority and health professionals with the shared aim of ensuring patients receive the highest standards of medical treatment, care and support available. Since 2009 the charity has donated over £300,000 in specialised medical equipment, including a mammography machine in 2018 and an Elite Ultrasound diagnostic system in 2024.

Breast Cancer Support Gibraltar Chairperson, Mercy Posso, took the opportunity to announce that as part of their continuous awareness campaigns they will shortly be launching an innovative awareness campaign urging women to attend their mammography appointments. Banner adverts will be placed across the doors of four local taxis with the message: – “Do not miss your Mammo appointment, Early Detection Saves Lives.”

GHA Head of Radiology, Monica Mir-Dyer, said: “We are immensely grateful to Breast Cancer Support Gibraltar, especially for their generous donation of an ultrasound machine. This state-of-the-art equipment will significantly enhance our ability to diagnose breast cancer, and improve care to countless patients.”  

GHA Director General, Kevin McGee, said: “We are delighted and feel it is entirely appropriate to be formally recognising the substantial efforts and collaboration by the charity, to enhance the services of breast care in Gibraltar. The plaque is a symbolic recognition of all their great work in helping so many people.”

For her part, the Minister for Health and Care, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, said: “The GHA has an excellent relationship with Breast Cancer Support Gibraltar and we wanted to formally acknowledge the work that they do for our community. The support they provide to patients, during a very difficult part of their life, is commendable. On behalf of the Government and indeed of the GHA, I would like to thank Mercy Posso and her magnificent team for their continuous hard work and for the very substantial donations which the GHA has received over recent years. We are all very grateful.”