The Bahamas has been positioned at the head of the global development of Stem Cell research following the recent launch of the Stem Cell Industry in The Bahamas at Melia Nassau Beach Resort.
Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Perry Gomez said The Bahamas has put in place all of the necessary protocols and legislation to ensure that in order to practice Stem Cell medicine in The Bahamas, facilities where the therapy is actually practiced must meet standards of the highest quality in all aspects of professional best practices.
Dr. Gomez said: "The technology, healthcare professional expertise, environmental infection control, medical record keeping must all be at the highest quality.
"For example, the multi-million Cardiac Catheterization laboratory constructed by the Okyanos Heart Institute in Grand Bahama is the state-of-the-art and the most sophisticated 'Cath Lab' in the entire English-speaking Caribbean."
Located in Freeport, Okyanos was the first stem cell operation to be given provisional approval and then full approval by the National Stem Cell Ethics Committee for research and stem cell operations within the Grand Bahama Health Services.
"The Stem Cell industry is not only research and therapy, but it has ushered in a new era of quality standards, monitoring, analysis and evaluating, utilizing cutting-edge healthcare information with real time technology," Dr. Gomez said.
He explained that it places The Bahamas amongst the leaders in the Western Hemisphere that have in place comprehensive legislation to allow for professional, expert oversight of clinical Stem Cell research and therapy.
Dr. Gomez said the launch of the industry will provide for a number of spin-off benefits, adding that the "possibilities are endless [with] The Bahamas poised to reap the many benefits of Stem Cell research for years to come."
"This means that education and training for local healthcare professionals, nurses, allied healthcare professionals and other healthcare support staff must increase to satisfy the demand for new jobs," Dr. Gomez said.
"Additionally, the areas of telehealth, telemedicine and tele-education have to come to the fore overnight because these are all essential components in the improvement of the enhanced overall quality of care provided to these patients.
"International professional linkages will also be enhanced because of the development of the establishment of the Stem Cell industry in several aspects, among them: international experts practicing alongside local experts; real-time simultaneous monitoring of patients and the need for continuity of patients care - pre, intra and post harmonized for optimal outcomes.
"Finally, there are enormous benefits to be derived from a properly administered and monitored Stem Cell research and therapy operation in The Bahamas today such as jobs, growth in medical tourism, and amazing new medical techniques for the benefit of Bahamians and visitors alike. The possibilities are endless and The Bahamas is poised to reap the many benefits of Stem Cell research for years to come," Dr. Gomez added.
Dr. Gomez applauded the efforts of staff at the Ministry of Health and the Department of Public Health led by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Glen Beneby, in addition to members of the National Stem Cell Ethics Committee, the Stem Cell Scientific Committee, the Stem Cell Secretariat and the Stem Cell Compliance Committee" and the many stakeholders who have contributed to us arriving at this momentous event," for their "outstanding work."
"Stem Cell research represents one of the most exciting and promising frontiers for treating people with a myriad of diseases and conditions (and along with Stem Cell therapy) represents perhaps the greatest opportunity to fulfill the ancient call to heal the sick, relieve suffering and improve the quality of life for untold millions of people.
"I therefore thank all of those persons who have worked tirelessly to bring this moment into fruition," Dr. Gomez added.
Source: Bahamas National
