CARPHA launches Pandemic Fund Project, pledges transparency

Garfield Ekon

Staff Writer

August 14, 2024 – The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is executing the Pandemic Fund project from 2024 to 2026, with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) as the Implementing Entity.

Under the project “Reducing the Public Health Impact of Pandemics in the Caribbean through Prevention, Preparedness, and Response,” it is set to be fully implemented, as an imperative that countries and partners can gain a better understanding of the scheme and how it fits into CARPHA’s overall work of improving regional health security.

Interim Executive Director, and Project Director of the Pandemic Fund, Dr. Lisa Indar said the pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPR) initiative will change the way how the Caribbean responds to pandemics, epidemics, (and) outbreaks, and it will lend “crucial impetus” to PPR activities that have started at CARPHA, and will result in robust, regional, integrated surveillance and early warning and response systems.

“And enhanced laboratory and workforce capacities, supported by regional coordination and partnerships, all critical for effective PPR in the Caribbean. Collectively, these would enable the Caribbean region and countries to be better equipped and prepared for and prevent future disease threats/outbreaks and possible pandemics,” she said while addressing a recent regional workshop, held in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Caribbean region is especially vulnerable to the rapid transboundary spread of disease and has experienced numerous infectious disease outbreaks, including COVID-19, Cholera, HIV, Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika, Norovirus, SARS, H1N1, which have had profound human, economic, and social impacts. The rapid transmission of COVID-19 to all Caribbean islands within a short period, further emphasises the vulnerability of the entire region to the spread of infectious diseases.

Assistant Secretary-General, CARICOM Alison Drayton told the forum that the region cannot afford to endure the repercussions in education and healthcare, the economic impacts such as job losses and business closures, the profound effects on mental health due to necessary pandemic-related adaptations, the long-term health effects of diseases and the overall detrimental impact on our economics that would arise from another pandemic.

“The Pandemic Fund Project, therefore, holds immense significance in safeguarding the health and well-being of our Community and prudent management of these resources will be critical as we pledge to uphold transparent and accountable practices to maximise their impact on public health,” she said.

The Pandemic Fund was approved at the highest level by the Council for Human and Social Development, as well as by CARPHA’s Executive Board and other stakeholders, including Chief Medical Officers.

This is a regional 3-year project (2024-2026).