The Honourable Shaun Malcolm, Minister of Health and Human Services accompanied by Senior Health Officials from within the Ministry of Health, Ms. Renessa Williams, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Mr. Lynrod Brooks, Director, Health Policy and Planning, Nurse Alrisa Gardiner, Primary Health Care Manager and Mrs. Marah Smith, Head of Secretariat, were among officials from other British Overseas Territories who attended the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) 27th Meeting of the Executive Board, the Council Restricted for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) 45th Executive Committee Meeting and the 60th Directing Council, the 75th Session of The Regional Committee of WHO for The Americas in Washington DC, USA during the period 21st – 29th September 2023.
The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Director, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, highlighted priority topics requiring joint action, including the successful implementation of evidence-based standards for Front of Package Warning Labels, agreement on communicable disease cross-border control measures, and improving the collective availability of healthcare workers across the Caribbean.
The 60th Directing Council meeting consisted of Progress updates on key program initiatives undertaken to improve the quality of healthcare as part of PAHO member countries’ efforts to achieve “universal health for all” were also provided along with reports on progress with key technical matters.
The following priority areas have also been targeted so as to better respond to the needs of the population and improve health outcomes. They include but are not limited to the following:
* Information Systems for Health (IS4H)
* Health System Strengthening
* Mental Health
* Primary Health Renewal Strategy
* Human Resources for Health
* International Health Regulations
* Climate Change
The Ministry of Health and Human Services will continue to work diligently to achieve the goals set out in its new National Health Sector Strategic Plan (2023-2025) in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in order to achieve the vision of a healthier nation.
