Health
Food Safety: Prepare for the Unexpected
World Food Safety Day 2024
Foodborne diseases (FBDs) remain a public health concern in the Caribbean and across the world, with one in 10 people worldwide falling ill from contaminated food each year[1]. Increasing numbers of FBD cases and outbreaks have been reported across CARPHA Members States (CMS), especially in the tourism and cruise ship industry. FBDs can cause morbidity, mortality, and economic burden of countries; it can also pose significant economic, social, and reputational impact on trade and tourism.
The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) joins the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO) to commemorate World Food Safety Day on June 7th. The theme for 2024 “Food safety: prepare for the unexpected” reiterates that food safety is a collective responsibility, and everyone needs to play their part.
At all levels, we must be prepared to intervene if food safety is compromised, such as:
- Governments can update national food safety emergency response plans, strengthen national food control systems, increase surveillance and coordination capacities, and improve communication.
- Food businesses can improve food safety management plans, collaborate, and share lessons learnt and improve communication with consumers.
- Consumers can ensure they know how to report or respond to a food safety incident.
Dr. Lisa Indar, Director, Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control Division at CARPHA stated that “Food safety is crucial for supporting economic productivity in the tourism dependent, vastly culinary diverse Caribbean region. CARPHA is contributing to regional food security through improving food borne diseases surveillance and food safety in its 26 Member States.”
In a 2021 WHO study, the incidence of FBD was 1 in 11 during the mass gathering events, such as cricket matches, carnival, food festivals, etc.[2] With this in mind and as the Caribbean is hosting the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup (May/June 2024), CARPHA continues to be proactive and lead the regional public health response. The Agency has collaborated with both health and tourism stakeholders of the six Caribbean Cricket World Cup (CWC) host nations (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago) to strengthen surveillance, early warning and response, laboratory, health, prevention and control and food safety capacity in preparation for CWC and other mass gathering events.
During this preparatory phase from February to May 2024, almost 900 food vendors likely to be selling food at the cricket stadiums/and its environs, were trained in Food Safety for Food Handlers for Mass Gathering Events. Additionally, a Mass Gathering Surveillance System was developed and implemented to capture the six internationally recognised potential syndromes, which includes gastroenteritis.
To adequately address FBD and food safety in the Caribbean, CARPHA is implementing an integrated foodborne diseases program, integrating the epidemiological, laboratory, environmental and veterinary aspects of FBD surveillance and response, into a coordinated programmatic approach, regionally and nationally. Its components of surveillance, training, capacity building, outbreak investigation, research, preparation and control, are addressing FBD in a wholistic manner to promote food safety in the Region. CARPHA has also trained and certified over 500 persons in nine of its Member States in advanced food safety and has developed a suite of hospitality, health, food safety and environmental standards, to provide a basis for the development of an effective food safety program for the hospitality industry.
CARPHA remains committed to working with partners and Member States to strengthen regional food safety through multi-sectoral collaboration, capacity building activities, exchange of information and communication.
Health
Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital Celebrates Successful Completion of 2026 Summer READY Programme
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – August 18, 2026 – Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital is pleased to announce the successful completion of its Summer READY Programme, a two-week internship initiative designed to provide high school students in Forms 3-5 with hands-on exposure to the healthcare environment and an opportunity to explore careers within the sector.
The programme, organised and hosted by the Training and Education Department, welcomed students into various clinical departments,
where they gained first-hand insight into the day-to-day operations of a healthcare facility and learned directly from healthcare professionals.
Throughout the two-week internship, students were exposed to different aspects of patient care and clinical operations while developing important workplace competencies, including communication, teamwork, professionalism, punctuality and responsibility. The experience was designed to complement classroom learning while helping students make more informed decisions about their future education and career pathways.
Vernessa Forbes, Training and Education Manager, said the Summer READY Programme reflects the hospital’s commitment to developing young people and creating meaningful opportunities for them to explore the healthcare profession.
“Summer READY is about giving our young people an opportunity to experience healthcare beyond what they may have seen or learned in the classroom. Over the two weeks, our students were able to interact with healthcare professionals, observe different clinical environments and gain a better understanding of the dedication and teamwork required to care for our patients. We were impressed by their enthusiasm, curiosity and willingness to learn, and we hope this experience has inspired them to consider the many rewarding careers available in healthcare.”
By rotating through and gaining exposure to various clinical departments, students were also able to see that healthcare extends beyond the roles most commonly associated with a hospital. The programme introduced them to the range of skills, disciplines and professionals that work together to deliver safe, compassionate and high-quality patient care.
Dr. Denise Braithwaite-Tennant, Chief Executive Officer, said the hospital has an important role to play in building the human capacity needed to support the future development and sustainability of healthcare in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
“As a hospital, our responsibility extends beyond providing healthcare services today; we also have an important role in helping to develop the people who will deliver and lead healthcare tomorrow. Human capacity building is essential to the long-term sustainability of our health system, and programmes such as Summer READY allow us to introduce young people to healthcare careers early, nurture their interests and help them understand the educational and professional pathways available to them.
By opening our clinical environment to students and providing mentorship and practical exposure, we are helping to build a pipeline of
future nurses, physicians, allied health professionals and other healthcare workers. We want our young people to see that there is a place for their talents within the health sector and, importantly, that they can build rewarding careers while contributing to the health and development of the Turks and Caicos Islands. We are proud to play our part in investing in the next generation and strengthening our country’s future healthcare workforce.”
The programme concluded with the presentation of certificates of completion to the students, recognizing their successful participation and commitment throughout the two-week internship.
Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital congratulates all of the students who successfully completed the Summer Ready Programme and extends its appreciation to the clinical teams, supervisors and staff members who provided mentorship, guidance and practical learning opportunities throughout the programme.
Through the Summer READY Programme and its wider education, training, internship and professional development initiatives, Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital remains committed to supporting national human capacity development. By partnering with educational institutions, government agencies and other stakeholders, and by providing mentorship and practical learning opportunities within the healthcare environment, the Hospital aims to strengthen the pipeline of skilled healthcare professionals needed to meet the evolving health needs of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Americas has recorded 47,459 confirmed measles cases and 44 deaths in 2026, the region’s highest case count in 22 years, prompting the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to urge stronger vaccination, surveillance and rapid outbreak response.
As of July 18, cases were already more than triple the 15,011 recorded during all of 2025. Guatemala, Mexico, the United States and Peru
account for 95% of confirmed cases. Guatemala leads with 30,371 cases and 26 deaths, followed by Mexico with 12,255 cases and 17 deaths.
PAHO classifies the regional public health risk as very high, citing active outbreaks, immunity gaps, international travel and populations with inadequate vaccination coverage.
The organization says prevention starts with vaccination. Countries are being urged to achieve and maintain at least 95% coverage with two doses of measles-containing vaccine, particularly protecting children and under-vaccinated communities.
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Symptoms can include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash.
PAHO is urging health authorities to detect suspected cases early and respond rapidly to stop transmission. Unvaccinated and under-vaccinated people, young children and communities with limited healthcare access face increased risk of severe illness and death.
