Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 24, 2016 (SKNIS): A Brazilian medical expert, Dr. Silvia Lagrotta, is currently serving in an observatory role on a regenerative medicine project, being undertaken at the Joseph N. France (JNF) General Hospital as of June 13, 2016.
A statement issued June 23, by Minister of State with responsibility for Health Honourable Senator Wendy Phipps, further revealed that the project involves “the use of plasma-based infusion therapies, to a limited number of overseas patients.” Additionally, “it is a Phase 2-staged Clinical Trial of a research initiative that has already received US-Food & Drug Administration (FDA) level one approval.” It has been approved for temporary housing in the back of the private ward of the JNF General Hospital for a maximum period of six months. During that time the investors would be securing alternate facilities to house the project.
“The project’s occupancy of three rooms at the Private Ward began on Monday, June 13, 2016, with the therapies to be administered by two Government-paid staff nurses of JNF Hospital, with pro bono, voluntary oversight by Dr. Dwayne Archibald, a Government-paid medical practitioner at JNF,” Minister of State Phipps said. “Additional oversight of the project is also being provided by the JNF Hospital’s Medical Chief of Staff, Dr. Cameron Wilkinson; and the Director of Institutional-based Nursing Services, Matron Sonia Daley-Findlay.”
The Senator affirmed that Dr. Lagrotta is observing the process as a representative of the investor group’s Brazilian partner. She “does not and has not ever administered any therapies to any patients in St. Kitts and Nevis,” the Senator said.
“In anticipation that Dr. Lagrotta will be professionally engaged during the life of this project, her medical credentials have been submitted in the normal course for approval to function within the Federation as a medical practitioner consistent with the laws and regulations of the Federation,” Minister of State Phipps said in her statement.
The project is one of two new business ventures approved by Cabinet within the last six months in the area of regenerative medicine.
“Both of these projects have been carefully vetted prior to approval,” the Minister of State responsible for Health said. “Advice was sought and obtained from key stakeholders in Health including members of the St. Kitts and Nevis Medical Board, Ministry of Health in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA), and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO).”
The private sector partners of the project include the St. Kitts Marriott (Royal Plastics Group); St. Kitts Biomedical Research Foundation – in an advisory capacity; Canadian businessman, Kevin Klein; and two other investors, including a Brazilian medical group.