The Ministry of Health (MoH)has said that it is saddened to learn of the passing of a renowned Caribbean health researcher and scholar, Professor Emeritus David Picou.

In a press statement, The MoH further stated that:

Today we mourn the loss of a remarkable human being, a celebrated hero who dedicated his life and career to the field of medicine and medical research. We at the MoH are indeed grateful for his stewardship and extend our sincerest condolences to his wife, Professor Zulaika Ali, his family, his colleagues, friends, students, mentees, and all those lives that have been impacted by this true gentleman and scholar.

In a career spanning over seven (7) decades, Professor Picou assumed many significant and influential roles, including that of physician, educator, researcher and pioneer. His invaluable contribution to the field of nutritional health, as evidenced by his many published studies and his revolutionary work in the development of clinical guidelines for care of severely malnourished infants, has saved the lives of millions of babies in resource-poor countries.

Professor Picou has held many esteemed positions including the Director of the Tropical Metabolism Research Unit at the University of the West Indies, Jamaica. He was the first Caribbean national and graduate to be appointed in this post.

He was also the first Director of Research of the Caribbean Health Research Council (CHRC), a position he used as a platform to actively champion medical research across the region. His unequivocal wisdom allowed him to serve as the Chairman of both the Caribbean Epidemiology Center (CAREC) Scientific Advisory Committee and the CAREC Research Ethics Committee, on the Board of the West Indian Medical Journal as well as on multiple WHO and Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) advisory committees.

In Trinidad and Tobago, Professor Picou was instrumental in the establishment of the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC), during his appointment as the Project Manager and Chairman of the Mt Hope Medical Complex Task Force over the period 1978 – 1987.

As one of the premier authorities on malnutrition, Professor Picou generously accepted the task of training the future generations of medical researchers during his tenure as the first Professor of Experimental Medicine in the University of the West Indies.

His expertise was also sought out internationally having also lectured at prestigious institutions including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). His contribution to the medical field has been recognised locally and regionally as numerous accolades including being awarded the Chaconia Medal Gold in 2006 and the Caribbean Institute for Health Research Award in 2019.

As we say goodbye to one of our own, we mourn this brilliant academic scholar, engaging intellectual and passionate leader, we give thanks for his legacy that will continue through his life’s work to save the lives of the most vulnerable in society. Professor Picou has proven to be a true leader by his example, his discipline and his unrelenting drive to make a positive difference.