Ministry of Health attends International Healthcare Sector Meetings in Washington, DC

#TurksandCaicosIslands, October 10, 2023 – The Honourable Shaun Malcolm, Minister of Health and Human Services accompanied by Senior Health Officials from within the Ministry of Health, Ms. Renessa Williams, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Mr. Lynrod Brooks, Director, Health Policy and Planning, Nurse Alrisa Gardiner, Primary Health Care Manager and Mrs. Marah Smith, Head of Secretariat, were among officials from other British Overseas Territories who attended the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) 27th Meeting of the Executive Board, the Council Restricted for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) 45th Executive Committee Meeting and the 60th Directing Council, 75th  Session of The Regional Committee of WHO for The Americas in Washington DC, USA during the period 21st – 29th September 2023.

The CARPHA’s 27th Executive Board meeting held on 21 September 2023 and the COSOHD 45th Executive Committee meeting from 22- 23 September 2023, were both attended by Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ms. Williams and Director, Mr. Lynrod Brooks with the Honourable Minister, Shaun Malcolm, joining virtually.

 During the COHSOD two-day meeting, stakeholders were engaged in in-depth discussions on health system matters, regional health security and regional cooperation matters.

The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Director, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, highlighted priority topics requiring joint action, including the successful implementation of evidence-based standards for Front of Package Warning Labels, agreement on communicable disease cross-border control measures and improving the collective availability of healthcare workers across the Caribbean.

 The 60th Directing Council meeting, which was very well attended, welcomed top health experts including Caribbean Ministers of Health and other high-level delegates to discuss health priorities, review progress and solutions to ongoing problems and exploring opportunities to advance universal health with equity in the Americas.

 Progress updates on key programme initiatives undertaken to improve the quality of healthcare as part of PAHO member countries’ efforts to achieve “universal health for all” were also provided along with reports on progress with key technical matters.

 Honourable Minister of Health, Shaun Malcolm, noted the importance of inter-sectoral action to ensure our health system is strong and resilient, stating: “To lead strategic collaborative efforts among health care providers and other partners to promote equity in health, to combat disease, and to improve the quality of, and lengthen, the lives of the peoples of the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

The Ministry of Health and Human Services will continue to work diligently to achieve the goals set out in its new National Health Sector Strategic Plan (2023-2025) in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in order to achieve our vision of a healthier nation.

The Ministry of Health remains committed to advancing the implementation of the recommended resolutions and strategies approved by PAHO to achieve universal health for all. The following priority areas have also been targeted so as to better respond to the needs of the population and improve health outcomes.