health
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Caribbean Health Leaders Call for Urgent Action to Build Resilient Health Systems amidst Climate and Economic Threats
“Diseases carry profound financial consequences, resulting in losses due to reduced productivity and rising healthcare costs. Such realities highlight that health is not just a social priority; it is an economic imperative.”– Hon. Philip Telesford | Minister of Health, Wellness, and Religious Affairs | Grenada and Chair of the 50th COHSOD-Health CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana | Saturday, 27…
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COHSOD–Health Chair Urges Stronger Health Systems to Withstand Climate and Financial Shocks
“Our health systems remain vulnerable to hurricanes and floods. These events remind us of the urgent need for resilient health systems and integrated disaster response strategies. The evolving economic landscape has added another layer of complexity. Diseases carry profound financial consequences, resulting in losses due to reduced productivity and rising healthcare costs. Such realities highlight that health is not just…
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Caribbean Health Sector Rallies for Resilience, Equity, and Innovation ahead of Fiftieth COHSOD
“We reaffirm our commitment to collective action, shared priorities, and the health and well-being of our Caribbean Community, amid a rapidly evolving global health landscape, changing donor priorities, and shifting regional and international dynamics. There is also an opportunity for us to focus on self-reliance and innovative strategies, ensuring that our Region not only responds to challenges but leads with…
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CARICOM Secretary-General Recognises St Kitts and Nevis for Regional Leadership in Human Resource Development and Health on Independence Day
“Prime Minister, the Community values the significant contributions of St Kitts and Nevis to the regional integration movement and appreciates, in particular, your efforts on regional initiatives in Human Resource Development, Health, and HIV/AIDS, under your leadership role in the Quasi-Cabinet of Heads of Government of CARICOM.” Dr Carla Barnett | Secretary-General | CARICOM Thursday, 18 September 2025 (CARICOM Secretariat,…
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Message | Dr Carla Barnett | Secretary-General, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) | Caribbean Wellness Day | 13 September 2025
Even as the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) makes progress in advancing sustainable development, we face the continuing and costly challenge of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes remain the leading causes of illness and death across our Region. Lifestyle factors, such as tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and excessive alcohol consumption, erode the health of our people,…
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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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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 Chair Calls for Regional Unity to Disrupt Criminal Networks
“I am on record as saying that we need to launch a war on gangs of a similar magnitude and nature to the war on terror.” Dr the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MPChair, CARICOMPrime Minister, Jamaica CARICOM Heads of Government have agreed to tackle the Region’s crime and security challenge with the adoption of the Montego Bay Declaration…
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CARPHA Builds Regional Readiness through Emergency Response and Early Warning Systems Training
“This workshop represents CARPHA’s continued commitment to strengthening Member States’ readiness and response capabilities with novel [Early Warning Systems] tools designed for the Caribbean context, i.e. small islands, varying surveillance and laboratory capacities, porous interconnected borders, tourism dependency and vulnerability to disasters and climate change impact. Through this initiative, we are reinforcing the foundation for EWS and a more timely,…
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Trinidad and Tobago Claims Top Prizes at 18th CARICOM Road Race—10k
“This event reminds us that health is not just a personal responsibility, but a regional priority. With non-communicable diseases placing enormous strain on our families, our economies, and our healthcare system, we must embrace a culture of prevention, one that champions healthy living, movement, and mindfulness. Events like this are more than symbolic, they raise awareness, inspire action, and build…
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