COHSOD Health
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Calls for more investment in nurses as shortage hurts Region
The critical shortage of nurses in the Region and the resulting impacts on the health sector of Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are major concerns of policymakers and the Regional Nursing Body (RNB). The issues were a common thread of speakers at the opening of the 52nd Annual General Meeting of the RNB on Tuesday, 12 August in…
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“This Plan is both Responsive and Forward-Looking”: CARICOM DSG on CARPHA’s Strategy to Tackle Regional Health Crises
“The CARICOM Secretariat sees [the CARPHA Strategic Plan 2025–2030] as an opportunity to strengthen structured collaboration between the Secretariat, CARPHA and other regional entities, and a road map to guide how Member States align their priorities and collaborate on critical regional imperatives. Ladies and gentlemen, this will no doubt require coordinated approaches to resource mobilisation, clear implementation roles across the…
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Caribbean Public Health Leaders Convene to Drive Action on Regional Health Security
The Caribbean’s unique vulnerabilities — from small population bases and porous borders to economic dependence on tourism and the escalating impacts of climate change — demand coordinated, context-specific, and forward-looking solutions. Strengthening our collective capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to health threats is, therefore, not optional, it is imperative. Alison Drayton | Assistant Secretary-General | Human and Social Development…
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World Hepatitis Day 2025 | 28 July | Theme: “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down”
The CARICOM Secretariat is marking World Hepatitis Day 2025 with a powerful message: It’s time to talk, test, and take action. This year’s theme, “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down,” calls for everyone, not just health professionals, to understand, speak up, and help stop viral hepatitis. Programme Manager for Health Sector Development at the CARICOM Secretariat, Tamara Bobb Programme Manager for…
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PAHO and CARICOM Sign Landmark Strategy to Strengthen Public Health in the Caribbean
“The [PAHO-CARICOM Joint Sub-regional Cooperation Strategy (JSCS) 2025-2029] is a continuation of a process. CARICOM has prioritised health outcomes for a long time, and this long-standing commitment of CARICOM will continue.” Dr Carla Barnett | Secretary-General | CARICOM Wednesday, 23 July 2025 (CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown): The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) on Tuesday,…
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CARICOM and PAHO set course for five years of unified action to tackle regional health challenges
Today, 22 July, marks a major milestone as CARICOM Secretary-General Dr Carla Barnett and PAHO Director Dr Jarbas Barbosa signed the PAHO-CARICOM Joint Sub-regional Cooperation Strategy (JSCS) 2025–2029! This powerful partnership sets the course for five years of unified action to tackle regional health challenges, bringing together CARICOM, PAHO, and partners near and far to strengthen the Caribbean’s health agenda.…
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CARPHA urges Region to enhance surveillance amid rise in respiratory illnesses
“The Caribbean Region is currently experiencing peak travel and tourism season, marked by increased air and cruise-ship travel, which is typically associated with a rise in respiratory illnesses among both travellers and local populations. The concurrent occurrence of multiple respiratory outbreaks, as seen in China, poses a risk of straining health systems and response efforts.” – CARPHA PORT OF SPAIN,…
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Identifying Strategic Solutions to tackle Crime and Violence is a priority for CARICOM – CARICOM Deputy Secretary-General
“CARICOM Heads of Governments expressed deep concern about the high levels of crime and violence in the Region, driven in part by firearms and ammunition trafficking, transnational criminal networks, and a breakdown of social structures, and the impact of crime and violence on young people and children.” – Dr Armstrong Alexis, CARICOM Deputy Secretary-General CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana…
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Remarks by Dr Armstrong Alexis, CARICOM Deputy Secretary-General, at 47th Meeting of the Council of Human and Social Development (COHSOD) – Health | 27 – 28 September 2024 – Washington, D.C.
The Chairman of the Conference of Heads, the Hon. Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, recently signalled the concern of Heads of Governments when, four weeks ago, he delivered a statement encouraging citizens of CARICOM Member States to be vigilant following the Mpox outbreak, and as a Council of Health Ministers, it is incumbent upon us to establish a robust…
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Surge in Healthcare Worker Migration threatens Region’s Health Sector Development
“The migration of healthcare workers significantly impacts our health systems’ ability to provide quality and timely healthcare services. Therefore, policies to train and retain healthcare workers in the Region must be creative, robust and more responsive to the needs of our healthcare personnel.” – Dr Andy St Hilaire, Officer in Charge, Office of the Chief Medical Officer, Dominica Friday 13…
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