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UWI St. Augustine Principal Challenges New Doctors to Tackle Climate-Driven Health Crises

For Release Upon Receipt - November 25, 2024

St. Augustine


ST. AUGUSTINE, Trinidad and Tobago. November 25, 2024 – “As new doctors, you are not only caregivers but also advocates and activists. This is your new mandate and an integral part of the future of medicine,” declared Professor Rose-Marie Antoine, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal of The University of the West Indies (The UWI) St. Augustine Campus. Professor Antoine was addressing a new cohort of inductees at the Medical Board of Trinidad and Tobago's (MBTT) Annual Induction Ceremony and Ball on November 15, 2024, and called upon the next generation of medical practitioners to rise to the challenges posed by climate change.

Held at the Hyatt Regency, the ceremony focused on the theme, “Climate Change and the Future of Medicine: Preparing the Next Generation of Practitioners.” Professor Antoine highlighted the critical role of healthcare professionals in mitigating the health impacts of climate change, emphasising the vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like Trinidad and Tobago.

Drawing on data from The Rockefeller Foundation and the World Bank, Professor Antoine outlined the significant health threats posed by climate change, such as the increased prevalence of mosquito-borne diseases, respiratory issues, and malnutrition. She stressed the need for climate-driven early warning systems and more robust healthcare responses to these emerging threats.

"Climate change is making us sicker, and the world is not prepared to respond," she stated, quoting a 2024 report by The Rockefeller Foundation. "The growing incidence of diseases like Dengue Fever and Zika demands climate-driven early warning systems and targeted responses."

Professor Antoine also addressed the social aspects of health, emphasising that the impacts of climate change disproportionately affect the most vulnerable populations. "Poverty and inequity amplify health risks. A flood affects the rich differently," she noted, urging the inductees to consider the intersection of clinical and social aspects of health in their practice.

She encouraged the new doctors to adopt interdisciplinary approaches, pointing to initiatives at The UWI that integrate health, agriculture, and climate studies. "At The UWI St. Augustine, our Faculty of Food and Agriculture is developing innovative solutions like organic pesticides to safeguard human and environmental health. We need collaborative efforts like these to address the challenges ahead."

The address concluded with a powerful call to action: "Empower Caribbean citizens with knowledge and choices. As healthcare professionals, your role extends beyond treatment to advocacy, education, and resilience-building at both national and regional levels."

Dr. Neil Singh, President of the Medical Board of Trinidad and Tobago and Head of The UWI St. Augustine Health Service Unit, reflected on the longstanding legacy of the Medical Board, which has safeguarded healthcare standards for over two centuries. “The Medical Board of Trinidad and Tobago has remained steadfast in its mission to ensure the people of our nation receive care from skilled, compassionate, and ethical practitioners,” he remarked. Dr. Singh underscored the evolving role of medical regulators, adding, “Today, our responsibility extends beyond regulation—we are stewards of public trust, committed to guiding the medical profession towards excellence, integrity, and the delivery of care that changes lives.”

Dr. Roshan Parasram O.R.T.T., Chief Medical Officer of Trinidad and Tobago, also shared his insights on the evolving nature of the medical field. He emphasised the importance of staying current with new treatments, technologies, and discoveries, while never losing sight of the human aspect of care. "Your skills and knowledge will evolve, but your humanity and compassion must always remain steadfast," he stated, urging the new doctors to remember their Hippocratic Oath and the art of caring.

The MBTT Induction Ceremony provided a key platform for this important discussion, equipping the next generation of medical professionals to tackle the health challenges of climate change with innovation, empathy, and determination.

END

 

 Celebrating the recent inductees at the Medical Board of Trinidad & Tobago’s (MBTT) Induction Ceremony and Ball are Professor Rose-Marie Antoine Campus Principal and Pro Vice-Chancellor at The UWI St. Augustine Campus (front row, second from left) along with (L-R) Dr. Roshan Parasram O.R.T.T., Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Neil Adrian Singh, Chairman of the Medical Board of T&T and Head of the Health Services Unit at The UWI and Dr. Ian Ramnarine, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon at NCRHA and Secretary of the MBTT.

About The University of the West Indies

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) is the Caribbean’s premier, higher education institution. One of only two regional universities in the world, it comprises five campuses across the English-speaking Caribbean and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. The UWI has been consistently ranked among the best in the world by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE).

Learn more at www.uwi.edu

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