NASSAU, The Bahamas ( By Eric Rose, BIS)– Driving innovation in healthcare in The Bahamas, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the Office of the Prime Minister on March 14, 2016 that provides the framework for development of stem cell research and therapy, advancement in regenerative medicine in The Bahamas, and opportunities for Bahamians in biotechnology.
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie stated that execution of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine and the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, and the Bahamas Ministry of Health and the Public Hospitals Authority; in addition, the signing of Consultancy Services Agreement (CSA) between world-renowned stem cell scientist Dr. Joshua M. Hare, Consultant, and the Bahamas Ministry of Health are important events that should be heralded throughout the region for the benefit to the parties, especially the Bahamian people and his government.
“This is indeed a sentinel moment for my government because the University of Miami Leonard Miller School of Medicine is one of the leading Schools of Medicine in the United States of America and this now makes this outstanding institution available to us as we continue this sacred journey to ensure patient safety and enhance the quality and delivery of healthcare to our citizens throughout The Bahamas, to drive innovation in healthcare and to create new opportunities for Bahamians in the fields of Biotechnology, Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine,” Prime Minister Christie said, at a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister.
He added that the signing comes at a “pivotal time” in the history of The Bahamas, as the country implements National Health Insurance thereby providing its citizens with accessible, equitable, and high quality healthcare; one of the most significant social objectives of his government.
“This MOU provides that the University of Miami will engage in education, training physicians, health care practitioners and scientists in finding new treatments and therapies for heart disease, neurological disease, bone disease, diabetes, cancer, eye diseases and other chronic, debilitating or incurable diseases,” he said.
He added that the University of Miami through the MOU will explore the possibility of providing services including establishing relationship between healthcare providers, nationally and internationally; developing telemedicine facilities to assist in diagnosis and treatment of patients; facilitate specialty training for physicians and medical practitioners in areas other than stem cell research and therapy upon request from the Ministry of Health/Public Hospitals Authority and in collaboration with the University of the West Indies School of Clinical Medicine and Research.
Prime Minister Christie said: “This MOU further provides that the University of Miami, through the interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute will explore the possibility of providing services and support such as the establishment of a Stem Cell Laboratory ‘free standing’ or in collaboration with an existing laboratory within The Bahamas; provision of resources and expertise as necessary to advance from The Bahamas stem cell research, stem cell therapy and stem cell product development; advancement of The Bahamas as a center of excellence for stem cell research and a center for innovation in biotechnological advances, as well as providing expertise as a member of the National Stem Cell Ethics Committee, the Scientific Sub-Committee, and the Monitoring Compliance Stem Cell Sub-Committee; providing the framework in accordance with international best practices to train and develop Bahamian scientists particularly in the area of stem cell research and therapy and regenerative medicine.”
