June 2015


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The North West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA) and The UWI St. Augustine Campus signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on May 22, at the Office of the Campus Principal. The MOU will govern the construction of a Teaching and Student Facility at the General Hospital, Port of Spain, which will house students and staff of The UWI St. Augustine’s Faculty of Medical Sciences.

Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal of The UWI St. Augustine, Professor Clement Sankat declared the signing of the MOU as “timely” and emphasised the need to build capacity at every level for the growing number of students given current enrolment numbers at the Faculty of Medical Sciences. He commended Dr. Andy Bhagwandass, Chairman of the NWRHA and the Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Fuad Khan, for their roles in moving the MOU forward. He stressed the need to “move the agreement from a vision, a piece of paper to getting something done with the reputation of The UWI and the accreditation intact.”

Dr. Bhagwandass gave a personal account of his time spent as a double alum of both The UWI St. Augustine and Mona Campuses and his unique understanding of the need for accommodation on a hospital compound: “the site where students can speak to patients, nurses and staff in a safe environment and develop the social side of medicine.” He also stressed that such a facility would encourage regional and international students to come and share knowledge. The facility will allow students to be near the hospital around the clock, allowing them to be able to observe special cases that are brought in, especially incidents of trauma.

Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Professor Samuel Ramsewak, expressed great satisfaction on the occasion, describing the proposed facility as a “premiere teaching hospital.” He added that it would be outfitted with approximately 30 rooms including teaching, lecture and study spaces; kitchen and laundry facilities.

The MOU was signed by Professor Sankat and Dr. Bhagwandass, witnessed by Mrs. Judith Baliram, Chief Executive Officer for the NWRHA and Professor Ramsewak.