CAY HILL:--- On Saturday, October 3, 2026, St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC), in collaboration with the Positive and Elektralytes Foundations, hosted its annual Men’s Health Day, providing free health screenings to a record 502 men. Participants were tested for prostate cancer, blood pressure, diabetes, and HIV, underscoring the importance of early detection and prevention.
To ensure accessibility, men were required to complete a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test in advance at community screening events held on September 12th and 19th at both NAPA locations. While most local insurance providers cover PSA testing, SMMC and its partners ensured that uninsured men also received the test at no cost, thanks to an ongoing partnership with SLS. Men who needed further evaluation could schedule follow-up appointments at SMMC’s Urology Clinic or Radiology Department.
SMMC’s Urologists, Dr. Carlos Rojas, Dr. Diego Ramos, and Dr. Francisco Pinto, led the prostate cancer screenings. Various SMMC medical specialists also volunteered their time to support this critical initiative.
The record-breaking 502 men screened is a staggering 234% increase from the 150 men screened at last year’s event, underscoring the annual event’s success.
Dr. Pinto explained: “Of the 502 men who had their PSA tests done, the results reflect that 430 had their PSA value in the normal range (between 0.1 and less than 4.0), and 72 men had an elevated PSA value (higher than 4.0). Of those 72 men with an elevated PSA value, 10 had a high PSA value (above 9.9). Those men with an elevated PSA were scheduled for follow-up consultations.
The event was made possible through partnerships with St. Maarten Laboratory Services (SLS), SZV Insurances, Guardian Group Dutch Caribbean, NAPA, the St. Maarten AIDS Foundation, and, this year, Orco Bank through its Orco Bank Cares program.
“This event is one of the many ways SMMC gives back to the community,” Alacia Jiwanand, SMMC’s Communications Assistant, stated. “It would not be possible without SMMC’s dedicated staff volunteers from our Outpatient Department and Social Committee and our corporate partners, including SLS, NAPA, SZV, Guardian Group, the SXM AIDS Foundation and Orco Bank”
Appointments at SMMC’s Urology Department can be made by calling +1 (721) 543-1111 or 910 ext. 1379 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm). PSA testing is available year-round at any SLS location.
Looking ahead, SMMC will host its annual Women’s Health Day on Saturday, October 31st, offering free breast cancer screenings and additional health checks in collaboration with the Positive and Electrolytes Foundations, Guardian Insurance, SZV, the American University of the Caribbean, the St. Maarten AIDS Foundation, and Orco Bank.
