Cabinet approves off-shore medical school
by Desiree Jodah
Cabinet has approved the establishment of the new off-shore medical school which is now scheduled to come into operation early next year after its opening had been pushed back twice. The American International School of Medicine (AISM) a division of International Medical Educators Association Inc (IMEA) had proposed establishing an off-shore medical school in Guyana on June 1. However, this date was postponed to September while the government awaited a due diligence letter from the IMEA of Georgia, United States. The school is now set to become operational in January 2000. Stabroek News understands that a US$700,000 bond has been lodged by AISM in case of failure. Cabinet had sought the security of an escrow account from the school in case of pitfalls and or bankruptcy, as well as other guarantees before granting approval. AISM also promised to establish a US$5 million liability policy for the coverage of the school and all its principals when classes begin in January. With the lodging of the bond came Cabinet's recent approval. This newspaper learnt that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will have to be signed between the government and the school officials. The MOU is expected to reflect concerns raised by hospitals and the University of Guyana which has a faculty of medicine. According to a medical source, while the government cannot stop the school from opening if it has met the requirements, the MOU would include protection for other institutions. The initial start-up cost of the school was given as US$3 million. The school's programme would be a US medical one with the intention of training US and international students, including qualified Guyanese to become eligible to practise medicine in the US, Guyana and elsewhere. Admission requirements for the medical programme are the successful completion of a bachelor's degree and all premedical courses. At a press conference earlier this year, President of AISM Colin Wilkinson had explained that the programme would have a duration of four years and the basic medical sciences would be taught during the first two year swhich would be divided into five semesters. The third and fourth years would encompass clinical training at hospitals in Guyana, US, Mexico and England. There would be three semesters per year and the average number of students would be 100. To graduate students must successfully complete the basic sciences and clinical training internship with a passing grade in each course, and obtain clearance with the finance and all other departments. Lectures would be conducted in English by qualified professors from the US, England and Guyana. The licensing examinations (USMILE), steps one and two, could be taken in the US or regionally through the US embassy after the second and third years respectively. Minister of Health Dr Henry Jeffrey at the press conference earlier this year had listed some of the benefits of the school as being increased tourism, the creation of jobs which would result in increased spending and the influx of foreign exchange, leading in turn to an increase in the country's revenue and greater monetary stability. He also mentioned the development of an international relationship. The ASIM President had also signalled the IMEA school's intention of adopting the Linden Medical Complex. He had announced that there would be the phasing in of a general rehabilitation of the hospital and an upgrading and replacement of equipment and facilities in all areas. The general staff would be upgraded, with provision for a visiting ophthalmologist, dentist, dermatologist, oncologist, obstetrician and gynaecologist, paediatrician and nutritionist. Other advantages listed include possible cooperation with existing academic institutions worldwide, the potential for joint research projects (inter-institutional and international), the donation of equipment and material for the university, hospital, medical training laboratories and libraries, the provision of five scholarships annually for financially underprivileged but academically capable Guyanese students and five additional scholarships funded at local UG rates. The requirements of the Guyana Government are the registration of the Medical School with the World Health Organisation (WHO) once it reaches the required standards, ensuring the eligibility of graduates to practise in Guyana and the provision of an enabling fiscal and other environment within which the school could successfully operate. The administration\development staff of the school will include: Christine Wilkinson, Director of Finance, Registrar, internal auditor; Anup Sharma, Director of Admissions\clinical coordinator (US); Lydia Sadusingh, Director of student Housing; Dzisiewska Krysia Zenobia, Clinic coordinator, England; David Belshaw, Director of Student Services; Glynna Coffer, Office of General Manager (Guyana) and Nufri Asani, Director of Marketing.
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