The Cayman Islands hosted a biannual regional council meeting of the Caribbean Association of Medical Technologists (CASMET) for the first time, 17-19 May, 2013.

The three day session held at the Marriott Beach Resort, brought together over 20 medical laboratory professionals from throughout the Caribbean and the United States, including Trinidad, Jamaica, Guyana, Barbados, Grenada, St. Lucia, Bahamas, the USA and Cayman Islands.

The group discussed developments and activities that will positively impact standards in the region, accessibility and training, improvements in diagnostic and therapeutic laboratory testing techniques, regional professional collaboration and regulatory issues.

CASMET- an affiliate of the American Medical Technologists (AMT) – is an independent, non-governmental association representing more than 1500 medical laboratory professionals throughout the Caribbean, Central America and the Dutch Antilles.

These regional meetings provide an opportunity for medical laboratory professionals including medical technologists, phlebotomists and laboratory assistants to collaborate on issues of concern in their country and bring council members together to develop regional planning and advice to educational institutions, funding agencies and government ministries on the development of medical laboratory science.

In her remarks on the opening evening of the meeting, Jennifer Ahearn, Chief Officer for the Ministry of Health, Environment, Youth, Sports & Culture (HEYS&C), stated that, “Medical technologists are vital to the health sector, they increase the capacity of health care and are instrumental in health care development and patient care services, as well as in the broader-reaching, critical role of disease control.”

Commenting on the significance of the Cayman Islands membership in the organisation, local CASMET representative Marcia Robinson-Walters said, “We are cognizant of the fact that the “health” of a nation is the “wealth” of a nation, and therefore we aim to promote professionalism, as well as to develop and interchange technical knowledge.”

CASMET provides avenues for the professional development of medical professionals by offering certifications and conducting examinations in the various disciplines of medical technology. Forums are also provided for the development and interchange of technical knowledge by hosting courses, meetings, lectures, scientific sessions and publications.

The companies that supported this event to ensure its success are:

BBerrys 2 Go

Caribbean Diagnostics

Cayman Airways

Department of Tourism

Health Services Authority

ISED International Group: ISED N.V, Noemalife, Biomerieux, Beckman Coulter, Sebia.

LGM International Inc.

LIME

National Commercial Bank

Scientific Supplies and Technology International Inc.