The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

HEALTH officials are one step closer to making The Bahamas the “premier global destination” for stem cell research, after launching a forum through subsidiaries of the Stem Cell Secretariat and the Public Hospitals Authority yesterday.

Speaking to The Tribune on the sidelines of the forum, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Glen Beneby insisted that the growth seen within the stem cell industry since legislation was passed to govern the sector signals that the legal framework was effective.

Dr Beneby stressed that the role The Bahamas now plays in the growing industry ensures that as long as the country remains at the forefront of best practices and ethical behaviour, it will, in five to seven years be seen as the “premier global destination” for stem cell research and procedures.

“This afternoon we begin a series of lectures related to stem cell industry in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and this really is an idea that comes out of the Stem Cell Secretariat with the Ministry (of Health) which is coordinated by Professor Dr Desiree Cox.

“The aim of this lecture series is to engage our various industry stakeholders,” he said.

Dr Beneby continued: “Stem cell is a new industry in The Bahamas and it is important for our stakeholders to know not only what is happening in the industry, but it is also important for them to know what potential exist for all of those involved.”

“What we have done today is, we have the benefit of some of our international counterparts that are working closely with us here in The Bahamas. We have taken this afternoon to allow these experts to present their findings and information so that the local stakeholders can have the opportunity to interact with them.”

Sources within the industry have suggested to The Tribune that dozens of applicants have approached the government looking to gauge the possibility of setting up research medical facilities in The Bahamas.

Professor Joshua Hare of the University of Miami’s Integrative Stem Cell Institute, one of the presenters at Monday’s lecturer series, indicated that The Bahamas is now on the precipice of becoming the global destination of choice as it relates to stem cells.

The government implemented the legislative framework for the industry back in August of 2013.

Since then, the government has approved four to five research medical facilities across the country.

To date, the most successful among those facilities has been the Okyanos Cell Therapy Centre, which is stationed in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

The $10m facility serviced some 100 patients within the first six-months of operation in minor stem cell therapy procedures.

Monday’s lecturer series included presentations from Dr Eric Duckers, who serves on the Medical Advisory Board at Okyanos and University of the Netherlands, and Professor Hare.

Additionally, those in attendance heard lecturers from Dr James Manganello, chief executive officer of Provia Labs in the US and Dr Luis Martinez of Regenera Global, Puerto Rico.

The lecturer series was moderated by Professor Desiree Cox, consultant to the Ministry of Health.