Consequently, pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPR) need to be improved both at the national and regional levels, as functional regional capacities are greater than the sum of the capacities of individual countries for improving PPR in the Caribbean. Robust, regional, integrated surveillance and early warning and response systems (EWS) [syndromic, event-based, laboratory, visitor-based, food-borne, zoonotic, vector-borne, climate early-warning, AMR)], enhanced laboratory and workforce capacities, supported by regional coordination and partnerships, are thus crucial for effective PPR in the Caribbean.
CARPHA, as the lead regional public health agency, is mandated to support its 26 Member States in bolstering national systems and coordinating regional response to public health emergencies. Given this regional remit and its experience and expertise in working with small under-resourced countries, the agency has been uniquely positioned to successfully implement Pandemic Preparedness and Response (PPR) capacities in the region, and to leverage its coordinating ability to encourage complementarity and avoid duplication. CARPHA is in the best position to ensure that the proposed activities in the Project will not duplicate ongoing efforts but rather complement ongoing PPR activities by CARPHA Member States (CMS), agencies and its grants. The Pandemic Fund has lent crucial impetus to PPR activities that have already begun and aims to facilitate comprehensive and sustainable expansion of surveillance and Early Warning Systems (EWS), laboratory systems, human resources, workforce development and the integrated One Health approach, regionally at CARPHA and to countries. Collectively, these efforts will enable the Caribbean region to be better equipped and prepared for and prevent future disease threats, outbreaks and possible pandemics.