The UWI secures high-tech testing machines and
2000 COVID-19 test kits for Jamaica.
The UWI Regional Headquarters, Jamaica. Tuesday, August 4, 2020 — The University of the West Indies (The UWI), through the International Centre for Environmental and Nuclear Sciences (ICENS) has brokered a deal for a welcomed donation of COVID-19 testing resources for Jamaica. Director of the ICENS, Charles Grant negotiated with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the donation of a real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) machine and 2000 testing-kits valued at approximately US$100,000.00.
According to the IAEA, RT-PCR is a nuclear derived technique that allows for rapid detection, tracking and study of COVID-19 and other viral diseases. It is one of the most accurate laboratory detection methods and is able to deliver reliable diagnoses in as little as three hours. When compared to alternative virus isolation methods, RT-PCR is significantly faster and reduces the potential for contamination or errors.
Commenting on the deal, Mr Grant said “Jamaica has had a longstanding and fruitful collaborative history with IAEA particularly with the Technical Cooperation Division, with whom Jamaica has partnered on numerous national developmental projects. This latest donation will play an important part in our fight against COVID-19. I would also like to thank the Government of the United States of America who provided much of the funding for the donation.”
Professor Clive Landis, Chairman of The UWI COVID-19 Task Force also noted that the University’s response to COVID-19 has been both rapid and sustained. “The UWI through its COVID-19 Task Force has been an integral component of the region's planning and response to the pandemic even before the first case was registered in the Caribbean. The success of the region's response thus far has been based on accurate and timely testing and surveillance along with close collaboration between governments, the health and non-health sectors, the disaster and emergency relief agencies, The UWI, and our international partner agencies. It is pleasing to see ICENS broker such a generous donation from the IAEA that will strengthen the testing infrastructure of Jamaica, helping to keep citizens safe,” he said.
The ICENS has received high commendation by Jamaican Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr The Honourable Christopher Tufton who expressed his gratitude and noted that the donated resources will aid in meeting the increased testing requirement in Jamaica. The testing resources were handed over to the National Public Health Laboratory on July 16, 2020. ICENS Director General, Mr Charles Grant represented The UWI.
Notably, for his work leading the International Centre for Environmental and Nuclear Sciences (ICENS) Mr Grant is also nominated to receive this year’s UWI Vice-Chancellor’s Award for outstanding contribution to public service.
For more on The UWI’s response to COVID-19 visit https://uwi.edu/covid19/taskforce.
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The UWI secures IAEA COVID-19 testing supplies for Jamaica (l-r) Dr Varough Deyde – Director, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Caribbean Regional Office; Dr Michelle Hamilton – Director of the National Public Health Laboratory; Dr The Hon. Christopher Tufton – Minister of Health and Wellness, Jamaica; Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson-Smith – Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Jamaica; Ambassador Donald Tapia – US Ambassador to Jamaica and Mr Charles Grant – Director General, International Centre for Environmental and Nuclear Sciences (ICENS), The UWI.
About ICENS
The International Centre for Environmental and Nuclear Sciences (ICENS) is a multi-disciplinary research centre that focuses on the role of science, in the resolution of critical socio-economic developmental challenges – ‘peaceful uses of nuclear energy’. The Centre which has existed since 1984, is growing steadily as the hub of nuclear technology for the region and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) around the world. Based at The UWI’s Mona campus in Jamaica, ICENS facilities include a Nuclear Analytical Lab; an Atomic Spectroscopy and Wet Chemistry Lab; and a Department of Radiation Safety and Nuclear Security – which offers commercial radiation safety services across the region. Environmental geochemistry research emerging from the Centre has been invaluable to mineral exploration as well as Jamaica’s food safety and security. The ICENS is a member of the United Nations Developing World Academy of Sciences and maintains partnerships with international agencies such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
About The UWI
For over 70 years The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has provided service and leadership to the Caribbean region and wider world. The UWI has evolved from a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948 to an internationally respected, regional university with near 50,000 students and five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda and an Open Campus. As part of its robust globalization agenda, The UWI has established partnering centres with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe including the State University of New York (SUNY)-UWI Center for Leadership and Sustainable Development; the Canada-Caribbean Institute with Brock University; the Strategic Alliance for Hemispheric Development with Universidad de los Andes (UNIANDES); The UWI-China Institute of Information Technology, the University of Lagos (UNILAG)-UWI Institute of African and Diaspora Studies; the Institute for Global African Affairs with the University of Johannesburg (UJ); The UWI-University of Havana Centre for Sustainable Development; The UWI-Coventry Institute for Industry-Academic Partnership with the University of Coventry and the Glasgow-Caribbean Centre for Development Research with the University of Glasgow.
The UWI offers over 800 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Food & Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities & Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science & Technology, Social Sciences and Sport.
As the region’s premier research academy, The UWI’s foremost objective is driving the growth and development of the regional economy. The world’s most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education, has ranked The UWI among the top 600 universities in the world for 2019 and 2020, and the 40 best universities in Latin America and the Caribbean for 2018, 2019 and 2020. The UWI has been the only Caribbean-based university to make the prestigious lists. For more, visit www.uwi.edu.
(Please note that the proper name of the university is The University of the West Indies, inclusive of the “The”, hence The UWI.)
