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.