Membership Report
During the period of review, there were eighty-three (83) new Members with seventy-five percent (75%) of total Membership being financial.
Council Meetings
Regular monthly meetings continued every second Saturday of the respective month for the review period. At these meetings, the business of the Association, which included the planning and execution of the Phlebotomy Programme, Community Service, Continuing Education, planning of attendance to Conferences/Scientific Meetings and attainment of Accreditation status were discussed.
EDUCATION
Phelbotomy
We continue to provide the Registered Phlebotomy Technician program to Allied Health Professionals as this is the major fundraiser for our Branch. For the two year period, there were one hundred and sixty-nine (169) students for the first year whilst the second year comprised of one hundred and fifty-five (155) students.
Registration will begin in October 2017 for 19th Phlebotomy Program which is scheduled to commence on January 13, 2018.
A sum of one thousand dollars (US$2000) was deposited into Regional Account from our 17th and 18th Phlebotomy Program.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Unfortunately we were unable to engage in any community service sessions during the period of review. This was as a result of shortage of staff at Members’ workplace, travel duty of Members, hosting of one (1) day workshops and commitment of Branch Council Members to the Phlebotomy Programmes 2016 & 2017.
MEDICAL LABORATORY PROFESSIONALS WEEK (MLPW)
Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (MLPW) 2017 was held during the period April 24 to 30, 2017. As per usual, this week is celebrated locally, regionally and internationally. This year, CASMET was unable to partner with the various Regional Health Authorities due to circumstances beyond their control. 
Despite that - our determination to accentuate the profession and our willingness to enhance the awareness of Medical Laboratory Technology profession enabled us to host a one (1) day CE Session with two (2) lectures back to back as previously mentioned.
In addition to maintain and build comradery, our resounding Jeopardy challenge was once again hosted on Thursday 27 April, 2017 at Amphitheater B, EWMSC. The challenge was won by South West Regional Health Authority with second and third placed going to North West Regional Health Authority and North Central Regional Authority respectively.
As per usual this was truly enjoyed by all in attendance.
Branch Gallery
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO BRANCH REPORT
Greetings & Introduction
CASMET Trinidad and Tobago Branch would like to take this opportunity to express sincere, warm and heartfelt greetings to the Regional Council Members for the Biennium 2015 to 2017.
With all your meetings, may you all be dynamic and industrious as you all continue to excel in all your endeavors and future achievements.
During the stipulated period, this Branch Council continued to work meticulously whilst making all our goals a resounding success whilst persistently striving for excellence for the profession in our twin island state of Trinidad and Tobago.
General Membership Meetings
There were three General Membership Meetings held during the period of review as follows:-
- Thursday March 31, 2016 at Amphitheatre C, Eric Williams Medical Sciences
Complex. Some agenda items discussed included:
- Chairperson’s report
- Financial report
- Continuing Education Session/Workshop
- Medical Laboratory Professionals Week 2016
- Dissolution of the Branch Council 2014-2016
- Election of Officers for the period 2016-2018
The Chairperson for the term 2014 to 2016, Mr. Harry Narine called the meeting to order and delivered the Chairperson’s Report. The Treasurer, Ms. Zobida Khan-Mohammed gave the Financial Report for the period 2014 to 2016.
Mr. Narine then opened the floor for Members present to voice any concerns that they may have. Since no one raised any issues for discussion, Mr. Narine dissolved the Branch Council.
Due to a lack of quorum the election process did not occur therefore the following Branch Council Members will be serving for the Biennium 2016-2018 by default:-
- Chairperson Harry Narine
- Vice Chairperson Steve Lalman
- Secretary Kimberly Rahamut-Chatar
- Assistant Secretary Sandra De Coteau
- Treasurer Zobida Khan-Mohammed
- Assistant Treasurer Richard Singh
- Public Relations Officer Khalil Lucky
- Council Members
|
o Ms. Udra Sookal-Goolsair |
o Ms. Maggie Dawoud |
|
o Mr. Atiba Gabriel |
o Mr. Oseye Andrews |
Auditors Ms. Christine Thomas and Ms. Velma Leith-Humphrey were also retained for the term.
Mr. Atiba Gabriel resigned as a Branch Council Member, with effect from April 8, 2017 as a result of personal and work commitments.
- Thursday September 15, 2016 at Amphitheatre C, Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex.
- Saturday November 29, 2016 at Conference Room. Scarborough General Hospital, Tobago Regional Health Authority – this meeting was scheduled to facilitate our fellow colleagues in our sister isle of Tobago.
Continuing Education Sessions
CONTINUING EDUCATION (CE) SESSIONS
During the period of review, Members as well as non-Members were afforded the opportunity to attain a total of fifteen (15) Continuing Education credits as per the following schedule:-
|
Date |
Session |
Title |
Presenter |
|
Jan 28, 2016 |
CE |
Vector Borne Disease in the Caribbean |
Dr. Karen Polson-Edwards |
|
Mar 16, 2016 |
CE |
DNA Testing and its impact on treatment in Trinidad & Tobago |
Dr. Derek Emmanuel |
|
Apr 24 to 30, 2016 |
CE for MLP Week |
1. The Impact of Immunohistochemistry on Tumor Marker Diagnosis 2. Adipotectin Effects on Diabetes 3. Aplastic Anaemia – Are we using 4 or only 2? 4. The Best Quality Control Comes From The Best Quality Management |
1. Dr. Kerri-Ann Lutchmansingh
2. Professor Shivanandan Nayak 3. Dr. Camillo Humphrey
4. Dr. Derek Emmanuel |
|
Sept 3, 2016 |
1 Day Workshop |
1. Resistance Trends and the role of the Laboratory in Antimicrobial Stewardship 2. DNA Testing in Cancer Cases – Roles & Applicability 3. Motivational Session – Quality Choices 4. Preventative Care |
1. Dr. Madhura Manjunath
2. Dr. Derek Emmanuel
3. Mr. Rishi Ramcharan
4. Dr. Shastri Motilal |
|
Date |
Session |
Title |
Presenter |
|
Dec 3, 2016 |
1 Day Workshop |
1. What is killing us? Common causes of death in Trinidad & Tobago 2. The Immune System – In Sickness & in Health 3. Motivational Session – Giving The Gift of Love 4. Staying Sane in a Crazy World |
1. Professor Hubert Daisley
2. Dr. Wayne Labastide
3. Mr. Rishi Ramcharan
4. Dr. Katija Khan |
|
Apr 23 to 29, 2017 |
CE for MLP Week |
1. Arboviral Diseases & Malarial Prevention & Control (Arthropod Borne Viruses) 2. ABCs of Depression
|
1. Dr. Vishwanath A. Partapsingh
2. Dr. Katija Khan |
Two one day Continuing Education Workshops are in the planning phase tentatively scheduled for September 9, 2017 and December 9, 2017. At these workshops, Members and non-Members will be given the opportunity to earn a maximum of 8.0 Credit Hours.
Meetings & Conferences
Meetings/Conferences
Two conferences were attended by Members for the period of review.
- American Medical Technologists’ (AMT) 78th Educational Program and National Meeting held in Memphis, Tennessee during the period July 18 to 22, 2016 - six (6) Members attended.
American Medical Technologists’ (AMT) 79th Educational Program and National Meeting held in Kansas, Missouri during the period July 9 to 14, 2017 - nine (9) Members attended. At this Meeting, Mr. Lucky received the Editor of the Year Award and the CASMET Journal, the 1st prize for 2016.
Ten (10) Members are expected to attend our Biennial General Meeting and Scientific Symposium to be held at The Marriott Hotel, Georgetown, Guyana during the period October 23 to 27, 2017.
Conclusion
Once again, on behalf of all Members of the Trinidad and Tobago Branch, our sincerest wishes for a very diplomatic, productive and successful Regional Council Meeting.
With warm regards.
Prepared by,
Udra Sookal-Goolsair
Council Member (2016-2018)
CASMET T&T Branch