MANCHESTER, Jamaica — The Mandeville Regional Hospital (MRH) has become the first hospital in Jamaica to perform a scar-free minimally invasive vaginal surgery, known as Vaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (vNOTES), marking another milestone in the country’s healthcare sector.

In a release, the hospital said the advanced procedure allows surgeons to perform operations through the vaginal canal using specialised instruments and a camera, eliminating the need for external abdominal incisions and visible scarring.

The breakthrough was achieved during a three-day surgical mission held from June 9 to 11, 2026, when local doctors partnered with specialist surgeons from the Jamaica Awareness Association of California (JAAC). The annual mission is aimed at strengthening Jamaica’s capacity in advanced laparoscopic and endoscopic surgeries.