The University's connections with the Cochrane Centre pre-date the launch of the Caribbean branch. The metal bird statue located outside the Tropical Medicine Research Institute was donated to the University by Dr. Archie Cochrane, the person after whom the Cochrane Collaboration is named. The metal bird statue, known as a Savacou, was executed by Jamaican Artist Ronald Moody (12 August 1900 – 6 February 1984) in the 1950s.  The savacou takes its name from the so-called 'bird-god' in Carib mythology who controlled thunder and strong winds.
 
 
The University of the West Indies, Mona campus, through its Tropical Metabolism Research Institute will serve as the Caribbean Branch of the US Cochrane Center (CBUSCC) after a launch event at The UWI Regional Headquarters, Mona on June 6.
 
The launch is followed by a symposium entitled Translation research For Policy Impact and Practice: An Evidence-based approach on Friday June 7.
 
The Cochrane Collaboration is an international network of more than 28,000 dedicated people from over 100 countries who work together to help healthcare practitioners, policy-makers, patients, their advocates and carers, make well-informed decisions about health care, by preparing, updating, and promoting the accessibility of systematic reviews.
 
The Systematic review is created from combining the data from randomised clinical trials (one of the best study designs that can prove how well a particular treatment, diagnostic test or health system will work and assess the benefits and risks).  By taking the time and effort to identify, evaluate and combine the information from all of the clinical trials of a particular standard on a health issue, Cochrane reviews are able to provide the best evidence for action.   These reviews are available free of cost to many developing countries through the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, part of The Cochrane Library.
 
 
Based on the best available evidence, healthcare providers and policy makers can decide if they should fund production of a particular drug, diagnostic test or policy for health care. Practitioners can find out if a particular treatment is effective in a specific medical condition. Patients can also assess the potential risks and benefits of their treatment.
 
 
Why is this important for the Caribbean?
 
With limited resources for healthcare we are required to make the best use of what is available.  The Cochrane Collaboration helps to provide the best evidence for guiding decision making by physicians and policymakers. The establishment of the Caribbean Branch of the US Cochrane Center will allow us to produce systematic reviews relevant to practice and patient care in the region as well as facilitate the integration of evidence in the decision making process. The Branch will also train healthcare professionals in evidence-based healthcare and how to conduct systematic reviews.