CARICOM launches new regional health research agency – to be based in Trinidad & Tobago

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) says it has merged five different health research agencies into a single office that has already attracted nearly US$10 million in donations.

CARICOM spokeswoman Myrna Bernard says the Caribbean Public Health Agency will be based in Trinidad & Tobago and will commence operations next year. She said Thursday that the agency has received US$5 million from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US$2 million from the European Union and US$2.5 million from Canada to establish a bio-safety laboratory.

CARICOM’s 15 member states also are expected to make annual contributions to the agency’s budget.

Trinidadian doctor Carl Hospedales has been appointed the agency’s new executive director.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press