By Kisean Joseph

After a two-year delay, plans for a new scientific institute in Antigua and Barbuda are gaining momentum, with officials taking steps to advance the necessary legislation.

The Department of Analytical Services, under the leadership of Director Dr Linroy Christian, is spearheading the initiative to create a facility that promises to bridge the gap between scientific research and public policy.

“We’ve had a fresh look at the draft and we are about to propose a refined draft for the consideration of the Cabinet,” Dr Christian said in a recent interview.

He explained that the department has taken a more hands-on approach to overcome previous delays, noting that they have “engaged a legal officer to specifically look at it, see if there are deficiencies, and address those deficiencies”.

The proposed institute aims to address pressing public health and environmental concerns through rigorous scientific research and analysis.

According to Dr Christian, the facility will investigate various health issues affecting the population and their potential environmental causes.

“There are many things, many maladies, that people may say they are seeing more of in the population.

“In some cases, some of it is due to what we consume, what is in our environment. Therefore, instead of speculating, we want to have a stronger science-policy interface,” he said.

One of the key objectives of the new institute would be to combat the nation’s “brain drain” by creating meaningful opportunities for local scientists. The initiative comes at a crucial time when many qualified professionals are seeking opportunities abroad due to limited local prospects in their fields.

“We talk about brain drain, but then we are the facilitators of the same thing. It is somewhat oxymoronic when you talk about the draining of the brains, but you do not provide the platform for said brains to be used. It is quite paradoxical,” Dr Christian added.

The institute’s vision extends beyond traditional scientific research. Plans include the integration of policy development and public communication components, recognizing the importance of translating scientific findings into accessible information for the public and policymakers alike.

For this reason the facility will employ professionals from various disciplines along with biologists and chemists, Dr Christian said.