A Saint Lucian national has made history by becoming the first female from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree in the Kingdom of Morocco, marking a significant milestone in the academic partnership between the two regions. According to Antigua News Room, Camille Andrew achieved this distinction after seven years of rigorous academic and clinical training.
On May 12, 2026, Andrew successfully defended her medical thesis entitled "Management of Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Experience of the Pediatric Department of Mohammed V Military Training Hospital," earning the highest honors from the examining jury.
Her research centred on pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), encompassing Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, with a focus on diagnosis, treatment management, and patient outcomes. A key component of the study examined the expanding role of biotherapies — innovative treatments increasingly transforming care and improving quality of life for children living with these chronic conditions.
Andrew's path to medicine was shaped by a childhood experience as a patient at Victoria Hospital in Saint Lucia. Reflecting on that formative moment, she said: "That moment stayed with me and sparked a deep fascination with the care I received, inspiring in me a desire to offer others the same level of compassion and skill that I experienced."
Studying abroad in Morocco brought both personal and professional challenges. Andrew spoke candidly about the adjustment: "Coming from a small island, nothing fully prepares you for the reality of starting over in a new country, adjusting to a different culture, studying in a second language, and being so far from home. There were moments of doubt and homesickness, but they were matched by immense personal growth, resilience, and lifelong friendships. It is an experience that has shaped me deeply, both as a person and as a doctor."
Andrew expressed gratitude to her family and friends for their steadfast support throughout her studies. She also acknowledged the Government of Saint Lucia and the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI) for making her education possible through their investment in her training and professional development.
Looking ahead, Andrew is eager to return home and put her expertise to work. "I now look forward to bringing everything I have learned back home to contribute to improving patient care, advancing medical knowledge, and playing my part in strengthening the healthcare system in Saint Lucia," she said.
Her achievement underscores the dedication and excellence of OECS nationals pursuing higher education abroad and is expected to serve as an inspiration to future generations of Caribbean students.
Each year, the Kingdom of Morocco offers scholarships to students from OECS member states — Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines — across a wide range of academic disciplines. The success of graduates such as Andrew highlights the enduring value of this educational partnership and its role in developing skilled professionals throughout the region.
