WASHINGTON, CMC – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) health officials are holding a two-day meeting here with public health stakeholders and partners advocating for continued vigilance against COVID-19, threats from new and re-emerging infectious diseases, natural disasters resulting from climate change and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
The Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat has convened the 45th Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) – Health, with support from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
Delegates will discuss updates on NCDs, infectious diseases, and other health-related issues and details of initiatives to address challenges such as climate change and pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
The Director of Human and Social Development at the CARICOM Secretariat, Helen Royer, reflected on the public health achievements and regional public goods achieved through CARICOM interventions.
“According to the World Bank, life expectancy in the Caribbean rose from 62 years in 1960 to 73 years in 2020. Infant mortality has decreased across the region from 28 deaths per 1000 live births in 1990 to 15 deaths per 1000 live births in 2020.
“ The maternal mortality ratio decreased from 114 per 100,000 live births in 2000 to 84 per 100,000 live births in 2020,” she said, adding that the eradication of Poliomyelitis in the Latin American and Caribbean region and the Declaration of Port of Spain on addressing the Epidemic of NCDs in the Caribbean Community marked momentous occasions and exemplified the commitment of member states to address health issues.
However, she noted that despite progress, Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) and national health officials face significant challenges.
“The COVID-19 pandemic presented an unprecedented event in the region that overwhelmed health systems and had economic and social impacts. In addition, the region continues to be at risk of threats from new and re-emerging infectious diseases and more intense natural disasters resulting from climate change”.
Royer said NCDs continue to be a significant cause of death for people in the region.
PAHO in 2021 noted that the top 20 percent of countries in the world with the highest hypertension prevalence included countries in the Caribbean, with Dominica (47.7 percent) having the highest plurality and Belize with the lowest majority (38 percent).
Royer also said that crime and violence have emerged as an issue of great public health importance in the region, making reference to the Crime and Violence Symposium held in Trinidad and Tobago in April this year and the subsequent Declaration, urging participants of the meeting to support the call by member states to treat crime as a public health issue.
The Director noted that regional cooperation and coordination remain essential to the success of all regional initiatives. Also addressing the meeting was Mary Lou Valdez, PAHO’s Deputy Director, who said that the region must ensure that health systems are strong, resilient, and well-prepared for the inevitable next pandemic.
She noted that routine vaccination rates in the region had decreased significantly in the past decade, and the area needed to take action.
The PAHO Deputy Director also recommended addressing the NCD epidemic by addressing risk factors and improving care, especially at the primary care level.
She called on the Caribbean to fight infectious diseases, including HIV and AIDS, and emerging pathogens by continuing to build on past success. Valdez also challenged the region to develop innovative strategies and investment plans to tackle the impacts of climate change on health.
Together, we have an opportunity at COP28 with this year’s inclusion of health on the agenda,” Valdez said, urging the Caribbean to support the work of the Regional Human Resources for Health Commission to ensure that regional countries have the health personnel they need and can retain.
“This year’s Policy on the Health Workforce 2030: Strengthening Human Resources for Health to Achieve Resilient Health Systems during the Directing Council provides good strategic and technical guidance.”
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