Stakeholder Consultations on Regional Health Security:
The Way Forward
July 19th 2022
Regional Health Security (RHS) encompasses the capacities required for Member States to
prepare for and respond to major public health threats, issues and concerns that transcend national boundaries and
potentially impact on economic and political stability, trade, tourism, and access to goods and services in the
region. The transboundary spread of infectious diseases is one of the greatest threats to global health security.
The devastating global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic reiterates the crucial necessity for regional and global
health security to protect and improve health.
The Caribbean is characterized by small, diverse populations of varying levels of development, surveillance and
laboratory capacities, close, interconnected, porous borders, vulnerability to disasters and climatic change, high
dependence on tourism, and a complex mosaic of public health (PH) conditions.
The complex challenges faced with the myriad of infectious diseases necessitate multi-faceted, integrated,
sustained, and harmonized efforts across multiple sectors, with regional and international partners, public health
agencies, and other key stakeholders supporting CARPHA Member States (CMS) to advance towards strengthening public
health systems, capacity, and security. As economies re-open, CARPHA is refocusing on strengthening RHS and
sustainable mechanisms to promote resilience and economic recovery, by building back better as a result of the
pandemic.
It is thus imperative to gain input and consensus from relevant stakeholders : Chief Medical Officers (CMOs), public
health agencies (PHAs), international development partners (IDP) , CARICOM and other regional entities on the
operationalization of a comprehensive regional RHS pathway, effective RCHMS coordination, 5-year GHSA Roadmap that
will provide accurate, timely and relevant information for early warning and timely response to public health
threats, decision-making, action and policy for CMS and other stakeholders.
Objectives
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To document current needs and priorities for building the Region’s capacities necessary to prevent, detect, and
respond to public health crises.
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To gain harmonised consensus from relevant stakeholders CMOs, PHAs, IDPs CARICOM and other regional entities on
the proposed Regional Health Security pathway and the RHS priority activities.
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To identify technical and financial support for implementation of the activities in the RHS pathway
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To gain consensus on RCM-HS coordination
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To document recommendations for updating the 5-year GHSA Roadmap
| Opening Ceremony Programme |
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8:30am |
Registration |
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9:00am |
Welcome and Objectives
Dr. Lisa Indar
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9:05am |
Opening Remarks
Dr. Joy St John, CARPHA
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9:15am |
Short Greetings by Public Health Agencies and CARICOM
WHO, PAHO, UKHSA, PHAC, CARICOM
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9:30am |
Address on Global Health Security
Prof Richard Garfield, CDC
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9:40am |
Message from Minister of Health, Trinidad and Tobago
The Honourable Dr Terrance Deyalsingh
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