In Montego Bay, St James, motor vehicle crashes have emerged as a leading cause of surgical delays, alongside a rise in cancer cases, according to Dr Delroy Fray, the clinical coordinator for the Western Regional Health Authority. Speaking at a press conference at S Hotel Montego Bay last Thursday, Dr Fray highlighted a significant shift in trauma cases. While gunshot wounds have decreased from 26 cases between August and September 2024 to just seven in the same period in 2025, road traffic accidents have surged from 213 to 285 cases during the same timeframe. This increase has placed immense pressure on operating theatre schedules, often delaying elective surgeries. Dr Fray explained that motor vehicle accident patients frequently require multiple surgeries for injuries such as long bone fractures, chest trauma, and abdominal damage, which disrupts planned surgical procedures. He expressed empathy for patients affected by these delays, noting that they frequently voice their frustrations. Dr Fray, an orthopedic surgeon, emphasized the need for systemic improvements, particularly with the upcoming completion of the Cornwall Regional Hospital rehabilitation project and the construction of the Western Children and Adolescents Hospital. These developments will provide a total of 14 operating theatres, which he hopes will allow for dedicated trauma care without compromising elective surgeries. He also called on security forces to intensify efforts to reduce traffic accidents, acknowledging their success in curbing gunshot injuries. Additionally, Dr Fray addressed the growing prevalence of certain cancers, including breast, colon, rectal, and stomach cancers, which require urgent treatment. He noted a concerning trend of breast cancer appearing in younger women, with cases now seen in patients as young as their late 20s and early 30s. Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton supported Dr Fray’s observations, emphasizing the shift from crime-related trauma to traffic accidents and the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension.