National Tissue Transplant Registry Among Key Issues in Cave Hill Campus-Health Ministry Talks
July 20, 2026
Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Dr. Damian Cohall, presented a copy of his book to Minister of Health and Wellness, Senator Lisa Cummins following the meeting.
The establishment of a National Tissue Transplant Registry to support Barbados’ expanding organ transplantation programme was among the key initiatives discussed during recent high-level talks between representatives of The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Cave Hill Campus, and the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
The meeting, led by Minister of Health and Wellness Senator Lisa Cummins and Campus Deputy Principal Professor Winston Moore, considered the development of the registry through a partnership involving the Ministry, the Campus and the Barbados National Registry. The initiative would support the implementation of recently enacted legislation aimed at strengthening the country’s transplantation programme.
Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences Dr. Damian Cohall, who participated in the discussions, said the registry would eventually utilise advanced genetic and other biological information to help doctors better match donors and recipients, thereby reducing the risk of organ rejection and improving transplant outcomes.
He said the initiative could significantly improve access to life-changing transplant procedures for Barbadians living with renal disease and other conditions requiring organ transplants.
National healthcare priorities
The meeting examined other key national healthcare priorities, including workforce development, student community engagement, nursing education, digital health innovation and research commercialisation.
Among the matters discussed was the government’s proposed Give Back Programme for publicly funded tertiary students. In support of the initiative, the Faculty of Medical Sciences is preparing to launch a structured community service programme for its students in September.
Dean Cohall said the programme would create opportunities for students to contribute directly to national development while complementing internship opportunities being developed by the Ministry.
Healthcare workforce planning was another key item on the agenda, with discussions focusing on succession planning in public health care facilities, specialist medical training and strategies to reduce dependence on imported healthcare personnel.
Long-term healthcare workforce strategy
In this regard, Minister Cummins stressed the importance of ensuring that the Campus remains a central partner in the development of Barbados’ long-term healthcare workforce strategy.
The discussions explored ways to address critical staffing needs across the health sector and expand opportunities for Barbadians to pursue specialist training and occupy leadership positions within the healthcare system.
Nursing education was another key focus, with the Faculty reaffirming its commitment to postgraduate training through programmes in nursing administration, nursing education, nurse practitioner training, for example the postgraduate diploma in paediatric nursing, while exploring future specialisations, including geriatric care.
Dean Cohall welcomed plans for a national nursing symposium later this year and agreed that training opportunities must be expanded to meet the growing demand for nurses across the island.
Opportunities to strengthen innovation
He added that the minister outlined plans to establish a task force to support the expansion of telemedicine services and assess the potential application of artificial intelligence to improve healthcare access, efficiency and patient outcomes. The Campus was invited to contribute its expertise in research, data analytics and innovation.
University and Ministry officials also explored opportunities to strengthen innovation, support the commercialisation of university research, and reinforce professional standards and governance within the healthcare system. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining high standards of professionalism and adherence to established hospital policies and procedures.
Dean Cohall described the meeting as productive and progressive.
“This engagement demonstrated the tremendous potential for partnership in areas that are critical to the future of healthcare in Barbados,” he said. “By working together, we can strengthen health services, advance innovation, develop our workforce and deliver meaningful benefits for the people of Barbados.”
