The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT - Draft regulations governing stem cell research and therapy in the Bahamas are now complete and should be presented to Parliament by the end of February, the Minister of Health says.

Dr Perry Gomez told reporters at the STEMSO Conference: “We finished the regulations (for stem cell) just last week, and so we are ready to welcome people in this kind of practice.”

When the regulations are approved, people can formally apply, and be registered and licensed, in the business of stem cell medicine in the Bahamas.

“In the regulations there are processes one has to go through to get a license to practice here, and we have several scientific and ethics committees that will give approval of any particular project to ensure safety,” the Minister explained.

According to Dr Gomez, a number of parties have expressed an interest in coming to the Bahamas for stem cell research.

A company in India doing stem cell work in neurological illnesses wants to relocate its practice to the Bahamas, he said. And two US institutions - the University of Miami and Duke University – have expressed interest.

Dr Gomez believes the opening of the Okyanos Heart Institute in Grand Bahama this summer will significantly benefit the country in terms of medical tourism.

Okyanos will administer treatment to patients with severe heart disease using adult stem cell therapy.

“You will see people coming from around the world to this site as it builds its reputation, based on its results and the kind of practice they provide,” he said.

Another benefit, he said, is having top medical experts in the Bahamas.

Dr Gomez said there were children and people in the Bahamas who have cardiac problems, but do not necessarily require stem cell treatment.

“During a meeting with experts at Okyanos, I asked how much pro bono work they are prepared to do, because we often have children that have cardiac problems, and adults who need surgery, and the cardiac surgeon seems prepared to do that,” he said.

Dr Gomez indicated that stem cell medicine would perhaps grow to be the biggest aspect of medical tourism, not only in the Bahamas but around the world.

“People are interested and the Bahamas name rings well internationally.Therefore, it is going to do a lot for not only the business of medicine, but for the business of the country. I think this will spark medical tourism in real life for the Bahamas,” Dr Gomez said.