(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) It is with deep and profound sadness that we at the CARICOM Secretariat learnt of the death of Dr Barry Wint and hereby extend our condolence to his wife, Yvonne and family at what we consider to be his untimely passing.
Dr Wint endeared himself to the members of the Secretariat and in particular, the Directorate of Human and Social Development to which he was seconded by the Government of Jamaica, 1996-2002 as Programme Manager, Health Sector Development. He was instrumental in the development of the second phase of the Caribbean Cooperation in Health Initiative, the framework for regional health priorities.
In collaboration with the regional and international health institutions, in particular PAHO and WHO, he contributed in no small measure to the inclusion of “the Caribbean perspectives” in several policies and programmes. He played a significant role as a member of the Regional Sub Committee on Health, Disaster Management and World Cup Cricket (CWC) 2007. It is therefore a pity that he would not be around to be part of this grand regional event. As the Chief Medical Officer in the Ministry of Health Jamaica, he demonstrated sound judgment and leadership. Barry was a role model and consummate professional.
His positions on policy matters, always so balanced and well researched, were highly regarded, and his commitment to, and representation of the cause of Health and Development, impeccable.
Nowhere is this better illustrated than the role he played in the establishment of the regional HIV/AIDS programme. He was the Chair of the Interim Committee that proposed the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP). In this capacity, he coordinated the Team that drafted the Caribbean Action Plan for HIV/AIDS (2000) which was the precursor of the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework (CRSF) 2002-2006.
He made the initial presentations in Brussels to the European Community which led subsequently, to the first award by the EU to CARICOM/ PANCAP for its HIV/AIDS Institutional Strengthening project. This project has made a significant contribution to the roles played by such institutions as the Caribbean Epidemiological Research Centre (CAREC), the Caribbean Network of PLWA (CRN+), the Caribbean Health Research Council (CHRC) and the University of the West Indies (UWI) in the regional fight against HIV/AIDS. He was among the foremost advocates in the run up to PANCAP, making the case to the World Bank, UNDP and other donor agencies to come on board and support the region’s accelerated response to HIV/AIDS.
As PANCAP unfolds as an international best practice, Barry’s presence in its imagery of development is indelible and his memory, undiminished. Barry Wint was a Champion for Change in the CARICOM Secretariat and indeed the wider Caribbean to which he contributed so much. We will ever record an inadequate appreciation for his professionalism, humaneness and dedication. We will remember him always, as he was.
On behalf of the Community, we also express our condolences to the Government and people of Jamaica on this great loss.
Edward Greene
Assistant Secretary-General
On behalf of Secretary-General
