CDRC REnamed

The renaming of the Chronic Disease Research Centre (CDRC) to the “George Alleyne Chronic Disease Research Centre” can be viewed as a tangible expression of the collective pride and gratitude Barbados has in this son of the soil.

Such a view was shared by Health Minister, John Boyce, as he gave remarks yesterday, on the occasion of the renaming of the CDRC.

Also stating that the Chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Sir George Alleyne, has “established a legacy for all of us to emulate”, he outlined other reasons why the renaming was special.

“This honour recognises Sir George’s legacy and will ensure that his name is associated with an institution that seeks to embody the scholarship in and dedication to medicine [in] public health, which he has demonstrated throughout his life,” the Minister stated.

He added that “this renaming is also a bold statement to the world; it speaks to who we are as Barbadians and as Caribbean people”.

The Health Minister also used the occasion while addressing the gathering at the Centre to pledge government’s commitment to “the provision of funding for the Barbados National Registry (BNR)”. He explained that the BNR, which will mark its 10th anniversary in August, was initiated following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between government and the UWI. Over the last decade, he said it “has made a meaningful contribution to health programming and health policy development in Barbados through its annual reports on stroke, cardiovascular disease and cancer, which delineate disease burden and trends in our community. These reports provide the empirical basis for strategic decision making”.

Boyce expressed gratitude to past and present directors of the CDRC and the leadership of the university for their vision and support. He also acknowledged the role of the National Non-Communicable Disease Commission which provides oversight to the BNR. (MG)