Caribbean Heart Institute (CHI) Chairman Professor Ernest Madu has signed a cooperation agreement with the University of Panama designed to foster academic exchange, training, and joint initiatives to improve cardiovascular care across the region.

The agreement was signed on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 during Madu’s September 26 to October 1 visit to Panama which reaffirmed CHI’s commitment to strengthening health-care systems through education, research, and regional cooperation.

During his visit, Madu, who heads one of Jamaica’s leading cardiac care centres, also engaged in high-level discussions with key institutions, including the Social Security Fund of Panama and the Ministry of Health. He toured the City of Health and the Regional Centre for Health Training and Simulation, exploring opportunities for collaboration in training and service delivery.

The visit concluded with a well-received lecture to the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Panama, coordinated by Dr Lilibeth Castillero. Madu’s presentation underscored the importance of innovation and global partnerships in addressing the growing burden of cardiovascular disease in Latin America and the Caribbean.