MOHW meets CARPHA Regional Tourism and Health Program Rep ahead of Bahamas Conference

Dr. Lisa Indar

NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Minister of Health and Wellness the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville welcomed Dr. Lisa Indar, head of the Regional Tourism and Health Program (THP), and Foodborne Diseases, at the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), in a Courtesy Call on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.  The meeting took place at the Ministry of Health and Wellness headquarters on Meeting Street.

Also present were Colin Higgs, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Wellness; Dr. Pearl McMillan, Chief Medical Officer; Dr. Kenneth Romer, Deputy Director-General, Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation; Robert Sands, Bahamas Hotel & Tourism Association, and other officials.
The meeting took place as The Bahamas, through the Ministry of Health and Wellness is preparing to host more than 200 delegates to the Caribbean Public Health Agency’s (CARPHA) 67th Annual Health Research Conference.

The meeting was to also reaffirm ties with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the tourism sector and regional stakeholders, in this juncture beyond COVID-19.

Dr. Darville and the other representatives stressed the importance of moving the tourism industry forward in a more advanced 21st century: The Bahamas has experienced an uptick in visitor arrivals at the beginning of this year.

Dr. Darville also stated that The Bahamas along with medical experts share in the Caribbean’s efforts to keep its country safe and secure from diseases and viruses, in a recovering tourism industry

The CARPHA conference will revert to an in-person event from April 27-29, 2023, at Atlantis on Paradise Island under the theme: “Caribbean Health and Tourism: Pathway to Recovery and Resilience”.  It will also be the fourth time it is held in The Bahamas.

Hon. Dr. Michael Darville

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is the new single regional public health agency for the Caribbean. It was legally established in July 2011 by an Inter-Governmental Agency signed by (CARICOM) the Caribbean Community Member States and began operation in January 2013. The Agency rationalizes public health arrangements in the region by combining the functions of five Caribbean Regional Health Institutes (RHIs) into a single agency.

The CARPHA Annual Health Research Conference is a platform for showcasing ongoing research to help Caribbean people better understand the intricate linkages between tourism and health.

As an advocate for Caribbean Research, although CARPHA has thematic areas of focus annually, the research committee accepts all research, which adds value to the further development of policy initiatives. This is also a space for networking and gaining insights.

CARPHA will continue its tradition of awarding instances of Caribbean excellence in health research at the conference.  A special banquet will be held to honour awardees.