The minister of health for the Co-operative Republic of Guyana has signed a memorandum of agreement with McMaster University that will grow the current opportunities for shared medical learning and research.

The agreement recognizes the mutual interest in academic development through collaborative research and education of post-graduate health professionals.

For several years McMaster medical residents, particularly in pediatrics, have spent time in Guyana on training opportunities and Guyanese medical fellows have come to McMaster and Hamilton hospitals for specialist training. The International Outreach Program (IOP) of St. Joseph’s Health System in Hamilton has provided assistance including housing to the Guyanese medical learners in Hamilton.

Guyana’s Minister of Health Frank Anthony recently joined Paul O’Byrne, dean and vice-president of McMaster’s Faculty of Health Sciences, and Karen Belaire, chair of the IOP board to authorize the new agreement. Executives and staff from St. Joseph’s, Hamilton Health Sciences and members of the Faculty of Health Sciences also attended the session. 

The new memorandum outlines the plans to cooperate in providing medical and post graduate medical training and academic and clinical capacity building that could include research and teaching for Guyana’s Georgetown Public Hospital and the University of Guyana School of Medicine.

Guyanese health care professionals will come to McMaster and Hamilton’s hospitals for fellowship training of nine months to a year, and its medical learners will have electives of 56 days or more in Hamilton.

The partners will also explore the development of research projects of mutual interest.

“This may look like a small step but for a small country it has made such a big difference,” said Anthony. “We see you as our natural partners.”

Belaire said: “This is a great program that started at the grassroots because people care. People want to do the right thing and want to help each other. Committed partnership is the secret sauce.”

“I would like to thank everyone involved, including our academic hospital partners St. Joseph’s and Hamilton Health Sciences and particularly the good work of the International Outreach Program,” said O’Byrne.

“We look forward to the continued success of the partnership and collaboration of Guyana and its hospital and university systems with McMaster and the health sector here in Hamilton.”