Official Journal Of The Trinidad & Tobago Medical - the Trinidad and ...

Caribbean Medical Journal
Outgoing President’s Address
Dr. Solaiman Juman
Incoming President of the T & TMA, Dr. George Chamely, Mr.
Wesley George, Representative of the Ministry of Health,
Mrs.Zalyhar Hassanali, Prof. Zulaika Ali , Dr. George Laquis,
Honorees, Dr. Sankar Moonan and Dr. Marceau Crooks,
executive of the T & TMA, esteemed colleagues and friends,
members of the Press Corps- good evening and welcome to the
2010 Inauguration dinner of the T &TMA.
One year ago, I stood before you to accept one of the greatest
challenges of my life. It was with a certain amount of trepidation
that I accepted the post of President of the Trinidad & Tobago
Medical Association. I did not know what I would be able to
accomplish but my promise to you was that I hoped that the
T&TMA would be in a better position when I demitted office.
Whether I succeeded or not – I will leave the membership to
judge. Whatever your verdict - I can say that we were busy in
2009- pretty busy!! I was extremely lucky to be surrounded by
a fantastic team which accepted every challenge that was thrown
at them.
Foremost amongst those who helped me this year, must be my
darling wife, Vareena, who supported me unwaveringly
throughout the year. She was there to encourage me, to give
me ideas and to make sure that, my clothes were matching! She
took up the slack with my family commitments when I went
missing in action. For all of these I am truly grateful and
appreciative – she was more than the wind beneath my wings.
The executive and Council were wonderful. The curbed any
over- enthusiasm on my part, yet were brave enough to allow
new ventures to be explored.
The Chamely’s of San Fernando were very supportive in many
ways. George in his very sober approach, Edmund in his thrifty
and Stacy in her obsessive- compulsive manner- all made sure
that the T&TMA would get the job done.
My friend and mentor, Dr. Austin Trinidad, who I coerced out
of retirement, has provided sterling support to keep the
Association on an even keel.
Dr. Frank Ramlackhansingh was excellent and proactive in his
role as the PRO and the functions that he arranged in his
inimitable style were very successful.
Even Dr. Chang Kit found time in his studies to attend to the
work of the Association.
The Branch Chairman- Dr. Rohit Dass, Dr. Stacy Chamely, Dr.
Joel Teelucksingh and Dr. Gillian Wheeler were very effective
and efficient in arranging their CME Meetings as well as
accommodating extra meetings with John Hopkins International
and also getting involved with the important Outreach Programs.
A major achievement of these vibrant Chairmen was the recruiting
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of many younger members- something that’s a key to the long
term survival and relevancy of our Association. Well done! Dr.
Lester Goetz organized a wonderful, stimulating and successful
Medical Research Conference in June 2009.
He certainly has the magic touch.
Drs. Dev Ramoutar, Sankar Moonan, Rasheed Adam, Boysie
Mahabir and the other doctors in the Council provided invaluable
advice and stability to our deliberations.
The Ladies of the Office, Mala and Alicia, were pushed to work
harder than they have worked before – and I am sure Dr.
Chamely is going to keep up the pace.
Special thanks go out to Minister Narace who has maintained
a stable temperament while doing the most difficult job in the
Government. Although we did not see eye on everything, we
worked with a common vision. Compliments to the Minister,
Dr. Cumberbatch and his team, on their handling of the H1N1
outbreak.
We would like to continue working with the Medical Board of
Trinidad & Tobago, Johns Hopkins International, Medical
Protection Society and the Commonwealth Medical Association
and all other stakeholders.
A couple of major projects have been initiated and we hope
that they will come in to fruition in 2010. We have already
achieved “Provisional Accreditation” by the American Academy
for Continuing Medical Education(AACME) and we will aim
for “Full Accreditation” so we will be able to provide international
CME’S for our doctors and visiting doctors to our shores. The
Caribbean Medical Journal is undergoing a major revamping
with the aims being a Peer-reviewed Indexed publication in the
near future, building on the sterling work of previous editors
such as Dr. Waterman. Dr. Harnarayan, Dr. Massiah , Dr. Maharaj
and Dr. Adam.
Overall, I would like to thank the membership and the executive
of the T&T MA in allowing me to serve a President in 2009.
I have full confidence that Dr. George Chamely and his executive
will consolidate and continue to build the T&TM A to a preeminent
position. No Health service in the world is perfect but
the challenge to all of us is to ensure that we do what we can
to improve the medical care that is provided to the citizens of
Trinidad and Tobago.
Thank you for attending and I hope you will keep supporting
your Association throughout the year.
Dr. Solaiman Juman,
January 2010