History of medicine in the Caribbean region: a medical association perspective (1938-2008)

ABSTRACT

Two thousand and eight (2008) remains a landmark in the history of the Medical Association. We celebrate seventy years (70) of publication of the Caribbean Medical Journal (CMJ), first published in 1938 by the government printery under the editorship of the indefatigable Dr. James Waterman. It was indeed an arduous task in sifting through the pages of 70 years of publications, but this was sustained and motivated by the genius, enthusiasm, eloquence and debates of the medical men of the West Indies who in the early years outshined their colonial counterparts in every possible way. Past independence we have witnessed a fall out in medical interests as we became more insular in our practice. More recently, there has been a resurgence of interests in medical matters as we battle a vindictive government in a failing health system promulgating draconian legislations in health care to cover their inefficiencies. A review of our history indicates that doctors have survived the wrath of the imposing British Empire and no government present or future will have the ability to superimpose their will on learned men of multimodal distinctions. A limitation of this review is that many volumes of the journals are lost or packed away in boxes in some obscure, darkened, termite ridden room at Xavier Street. This is indeed a loss of the most valuable treasure of the Association. This may have resulted in the omission of important historical occurrences in the Association's history. It is hoped that this review will serve as a landmark for the Association to further build upon, as we continue to document our trials and tribulations, hopes and aspirations in an ever changing environment.