Sixteen months of toiling behind the scenes culminated in the inking of an agreement between the Island Government of St. Maarten and American University of the Caribbean (AUC) School of Medicine to cooperate in research and other areas to enhance health care in St. Maarten.
A similar agreement with similar objectives is expected to be signed between health care officials of St. Martin in the not-too-distant future.
Thursday’s agreement was signed by Health Commissioner Maria Buncamper-Molanus and AUC Interim Dean of Basic Sciences Hiroko Yoshida in the presence of health care and other officials of both sides of the island.
Under the accord, parties agree to engage in research activities in a number of areas, including HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), diabetes, hypertension, reproductive health, elder health, immunisation survey, illicit drug use, youth obesity, women’s health, disease management and health care policy.
Two non-governmental organisations are being formed, one for each side of the island, under which the research will be executed. The foundations will share a common board structure and bylaws.
"Through these governing bodies we hope to conduct new research and health improvement," AUC Director of Public Health Joseph Ichter told the gathering witnessing what was termed an historical event.
Ichter said AUC, which has so far funded all activities leading up to the signing of yesterday’s MOU, was looking for "outstanding Dutch and French persons" to be nominated to the boards of the foundations. Nominees needed to be familiar with the culture of the island and its people, should have initiative and want to work with government and industry, he said.
He said the groundwork leading up to the signing had begun 16 months ago. "From the start this collaborative exercise was seen as a way for AUC to work with the community in a multi-faceted effort to provide health improvements to the population, valuable learning experiences to aspiring physicians, augmentation of the government’s health initiatives and an avenue for the private sector to have a voice in the health of one of its utmost valuable economic inputs," he said.
Health Commissioner Maria Buncamper-Molanus said the accord reinforced the view that high quality health care starts with health care professionals working together as partners.
"As partners our shared mission is to improve the health and health care of St. Maarten’s residents and our goals of community engagement, health improvement, research and education can be most effectively realised. If we are to be successful, the secret of this success will be our close cooperation," the Commissioner said.
She said there had been a build-up to the signing of the MOU through numerous discussions. "In addition to the working relationship between government and AUC, the benefits of the research possibilities that come with this MOU should not be underestimated. The team from the Island Government, through AUC’s research facilities, can focus on developing solutions throughout the whole cycle of care, from diagnosis to treatment, recovery and follow-up," she noted.
"We will sign this MOU with AUC to focus on innovation, patient care and knowledge sharing. … This is a clear indication of the fact that St. Maarten is developing – maturing, if you will – in areas only dreamt about in the past. Beyond the research exposure and training, I look forward to strengthening ties between AUC and the Island Government through this programme, and to a continued exchange of knowledge and talent."
AUC official Dr. Sue Atchley also lauded the accord. She told this newspaper after the event that AUC had a world-class research lab that would benefit the initiative.
Fourth Vice President and Collectivité spokesperson Dr. Louis Jeffry said the MOU would give AUC students the chance to experience not only the excitement of the interaction of the local population with whom they will be working, but also the structure that would be set up. He said it would also give them the opportunity to participate in health care services not only at an academic level, but also in the area where "it really counts."