Representatives from the Ministry of Health and Human Services and the Ministry of Tourism, Environment, Fisheries and Marine Affairs, Culture and Heritage, Agriculture, Religious Affairs, and Gaming recently participated in a two-day workshop hosted by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) on 18 -19 November 2024, at the Hilton Hotel and Convention Centre in Trinidad and Tobago. Representing the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) were Dr. Reginald Thomas, Chief Veterinary Officer, Department of Agriculture; Ms. Arlene Siebs, Director, National Public Health Laboratory; Ms. Kendra Malcolm, Deputy Chief Epidemiologist, National Epidemiology & Research Unit and Ms. Kenya Jones, Deputy Chief Environmental Officer, Environmental Health Department.
This workshop, conducted under the Pandemic Fund Project, aimed to bolster the Caribbean’s capacity to prevent, prepare for, and respond to pandemics. CARPHA, the region’s leading public health agency, serves as the Executing Agency for this project, with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) as the Implementing Entity.
Food safety is a pressing global priority, with foodborne diseases (FBD) being a significant public health and economic concern worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), contaminated food causes approximately 600 million illnesses and 420,000 deaths annually. In the Caribbean, FBDs are among the most commonly reported illnesses, adversely affecting residents and tourists alike and posing significant challenges to the region’s efforts to promote safer travel post-COVID-19.
The workshop emphasized integrated surveillance for foodborne diseases and zoonoses, employing the One Health Approach, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health sectors. Formally adopted by CARICOM in 2014, this approach underscores the interconnectedness of these sectors in addressing public health challenges.
Key experts delivered presentations on various aspects of integrated surveillance, including:
Dr. Lisa Indar, Ad Interim Executive Director, CARPHA, on CARPHA’s Integrated FBD Surveillance and the One Health Approach.
Dr. Margarita Corrales, Food Safety Coordinator, PANAFTOSA, on global food safety strategies.
Ms. Tania Hoost-de-Getrouwe, Livestock Development Officer, FAO, on sustainable livestock practices and disease control.
Insights from the Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA) and the Caribbean Veterinary Network (CaribVet), including CIRAD’s One Health Community of Practice framework.
Participants were encouraged to adopt multidisciplinary approaches and develop National Action Plans tailored to their specific needs and capacities, ensuring the Caribbean remains resilient in managing FBD outbreaks and zoonoses.
This workshop reinforced the importance of collaboration among human, animal, and environmental health sectors to develop an integrated surveillance and response framework. By fostering regional cooperation, the Caribbean strengthens its ability to mitigate the public health impact of foodborne diseases and zoonoses, ensuring safer environments for residents and visitors alike.
