MOU signals renewal of commitment

A MEMORANDUM of Understanding (MOU) was signed yesterday between the Government of Barbados through the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW), The University of the West Indies (UWI) and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH).

As Health Minister Lt. Col. Jeffrey Bostic explained, the signing was really a formality, one which recognises an arrangement of collaboration that was formalised back in 1967.

According to the Minister, “I call it a formality because the extent to the relationship between The UWI, MOHW and QEH transcends the MOU. The level of collaboration that exists is nothing that anyone can scoff at. We have been able to do a lot together. The bedrock of the healthcare system in Barbados really is The UWI School of Medicine,” he said. “It could have not been sustained without that level of co-operation and collaboration.”

The Minister alluded to the fact that in coming days, a similar ceremony will take place in Kenya where the Minister of Foreign Affairs will sign a MOU on behalf of the Government of Barbados with the Government of Kenya.

“That Memorandum of Understanding has to do with health and it is a result of the bilateral discussions that were held here in Barbados between the Government of Kenya. I am pleased to say that during those deliberations, health was the major topic discussed and at the forefront of my mind, and I believe the Prime Minister, really was how do we involve The University of the West Indies in this process.

“So some of the things that will be included in the MOU with Kenya is first of all, the possibility for Barbadian medical students to be able to do their internships at hospitals in Kenya because we do not have the capacity to take care of all of our people. So that is one thing that we discussed.”

Minister Bostic noted that while there is a shortage of nurses worldwide, Kenya has a shortage of doctors.

“We were able to discuss with them first of all, the possibility of the Government of Barbados facilitating with the Government of Kenya for Kenyan students to be able to come and enrol at The UWI Cave Hill campus and also for doctors from Barbados, and I would say ultimately the region, to be able also to go and work in Kenya.”

The Minister said research is another area in which there can be greater co-operation between the two countries.

“We had some lengthy discussions with the President of Kenya in relation to establishing collaborative initiative or effort between Kenya, the Ministry of Health and The University in the area of research and NCDs. I think that is something that will benefit both of our countries.”