Rahael backs more research $$ for UWI

MINISTER of Health, John Rahael, announced on Monday night that he will support additional funds for medical research at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine. Rahael pledged his support while delivering the feature address at the second Biennial Conference and Workshop of the Faculty of Medical Sciences. The conference, which had its formal opening at the Hilton Trinidad, shifted to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, where it will continue for the next two days.

Theme of the conference is “Health Sciences Research and Education in Focus in the Caribbean.” The conference is being attended by medical researchers from each of UWI’s three campuses. In a welcoming address, UWI pro vice chancellor and principal, Dr Bhoe Tewarie, admitted that the campus had put aside money for research purposes by the Faculty of Medical Sciences. “It is a little more than we got for research in the Budget this year from the Government. “We would like to ask the minister if he can perhaps double what we put and it would give the Faculty of Medical Sciences a good start.” Dr Tewarie said if the minister accedes to the request, funds to conduct research over the next two or three years would top $2 million.

Dr Tewarie and Rahael stressed the importance of research in the Medical Sciences Faculty. Dr Tewarie said, “It is imperative that research in the faculty has to improve if this university is to play an important role in research and teaching.” He said the St Augustine campus had decided to realign its areas of emphasis in research and that Tropical Medicine and Tropical Veterinary Medicine figure prominently in the realignment. “The intention is to ensure that St Augustine and the UWI become a powerhouse in research, and the Faculty of Medical Sciences a leader in this undertaking,” he added. Dr Tewarie said the university will actively recruit its honour graduates to research programmes as it strengthens collaboration with international partners. Rahael said, “The Essential National Health Research Council is dedicated to the strategic plan that includes promoting a research culture, and conducting training in research efforts,” and he was poised to support these efforts.