The conference will open this evening at the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown where Health Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy and Director of Research, Dr. David Picou of the Caribbean Council will address delegates.

The Government Information Agency (GINA) said Ramsammy noted the caucus comes to Guyana at an opportune time when the ministry is trying to promote Health Science research as an important part of the professional growth of medical practitioners.

He also pointed out that it as an important part of the health sector in general, GINA said.

Ramsammy said it is also an opportunity for the Caribbean to promote Health Sciences by research by creating a network with other countries, and solicit help in getting people trained so that they can conduct similar research here, instead of depending on developed countries.

Guyana is expected to make two presentations at the three-day meeting.

GINA said one of the presentations will be on drug treatment for Malaria and the other will be on the prevalence rate of Lymphatic Filariasis in the Caribbean.

The Filariasis presentation will be based on a study conducted by a group from St. George's University and will be read by Mr. Shawn Ramsammy, while Head of Disease Control Department within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Navindra Persaud is expected to present the paper on Lymphatic Filariasis.

Among other topics to be discussed during the meeting are Communicable Diseases, Surgical Studies, Chronic and Non-Communicable Diseases, Atherosclerosis, Child Health and HIV/AIDS, GINA said.