ANNOTTO BAY, St Mary — After a multi-year pause, laparoscopic surgeries have officially restarted at Annotto Bay Hospital, bringing “first world” surgical treatment back to patients in St Mary and surrounding parishes.

Dr Andre White, surgeon in charge at the hospital, said laparoscopic procedures resumed in June 2026. The restart means St Mary residents can now get gallbladder, appendix and hernia surgeries done locally with smaller incisions, less pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery.

“This means patients can receive minimally invasive surgeries right here instead of travelling to Kingston and joining a long waiting list,” Dr White said.