New Institutional Review Board appointed

May 18, 2016 News

With Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, at its helm, a new Institutional Review Board has been put in place. This is according to the Official Gazette dated May 5, 2016 which notes that Cabinet approved the appointment of Directors of the Board which falls under the purview of the Ministry of Public Health.
The Board became active on September 1, 2015 and will continue for a two-year period ending August 31, 2017.
While Dr. Persaud functions as the Chairman, the other members of the Board include: Dr. Reeta Gobin (UG Representative), Ms. Sylvia Conway (Social Worker), Ms. Zaheeda Hack (Faith Based Organisation Representative), Ms. Pauline Welch, Ms. Nirmal Persaud, Ms. Dawn Lyken and Ms. Michelle Smith, the administrator.
Institutional Review Board is tasked with reviewing research proposals that can affect, in some way, human subjects. These proposals are presented by organisations, including, universities, both local and overseas, and individuals.
Once reviewed, the Board could grant approval for commencement of the proposed research projects or simply disapprove. If the Board is not in favour of the proposal it is expected to state what measures must be remedied in order for a proposal to be redone and allow for another review to be undertaken. “There are certain requirements that we look for,” said a member of the Board who also pointed out that potential researchers are given advice on how to improve their proposals if disapproved.
The Board, which meets the second Saturday of each month, is usually tasked with reviewing as much as 25 research proposals monthly, the member disclosed.
With funding from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Board was brought into being in the early 2000s. CDC has also been providing training to the members.