| New medical school coming to TCI | | Print | |
| Thursday, 24 June 2010 13:28 | |||
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A new medical school is in the works for the Turks and Caicos Islands with the hope of bringing new life to the country and its economy. Global University of Medicine made a presentation to the governor’s Advisory Council on June 23, proposing to set up a medical school on the island of Providenciales. With an aging population in the U.S., the need for medical practitioners and nurses is on the rise. Global University hopes to groom a new generation of doctors and nurses to fill that gap, while injecting a much need boost to the local economy and helping to bring a greater awareness to health in the country. Subject to provisional accreditation with the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine (CAAEM), Global University, lead by founder Dr. Raul Cuadrado, expects to train 100 students per semester in the area of general medicine. His Excellency the Gov. Gordon Wetherell said the government has made clear to all prospective medical schools that there were a number of standards that have to be met in order to set up in the TCI, including accreditation with CAAEM, the main Caribbean authority. In addition, the school must also satisfy new TCInvest standards to prove personal and financial standing in order to start a business in the country. The governor added that they must also make a net social and economic contribution in the country. “I am glad to say this particular proposal is moving in the right direction in meeting these criteria,” he said. According to the governor, the Advisory Council has approved in principal the establishment of Global University, subject to the satisfactory conclusion of a memorandum of understanding which would set out the conditions of establishment and also provide for a charter operational and business license to operate in the TCI. When the school opens its doors, it expects students from all over the world with pre-med degrees to take on a four-year program leading to their graduation as medical professionals. A two-year program based on the American medical curriculum would be completed in the TCI before heading off for a two-year practical rotation at North American hospitals and universities partnered with the school. “It has an impressive list of people who would be involved in the project and links with a number of very prestigious schools, including the Harvard and Yale Medical schools in the U.S.,” Wetherell said. The school also promises to provide opportunities for local students through scholarships. In addition, as part of the program students will also be required to do community service throughout the islands, especially in the family islands where health care is not as readily available. Organizers say they also hope to create more awareness among the people of the TCI about health issues. CEO Mark Capes added there will be tremendous benefits to the a school opening in the country. “Students will be renting accommodations, in the restaurants and shops, using services and that in itself will be putting a lot of money into the economy,” he said. “This is good news and if all goes well, we should have the first batch of students in the TCI early next year,” the governor said.
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