Ministry of Health Delegation attends the 29th CARPHA Executive Board Meeting and 47th Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD)

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Thursday, 3 October 2024: The 29th Executive Board Meeting of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) took place on 26th September 2024 at the State Plaza Hotel, Washington, DC. The meeting focused on key objectives, including:

1. Approving the strategic direction of CARPHA for the next five (5) years;
2. Receiving administrative and technical updates regarding CARPHA’s operations;
3. Reviewing and approving policy initiatives undertaken by CARPHA; and
4. Providing advice to support the smooth management and operations of CARPHA.

Following this, the 47th Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD), which convened both virtually and in-person from 27th -28th September 2024, also took place in Washington, DC. This meeting brought together Ministers of Health and other relevant sectors from CARICOM member states to address critical human and social development issues within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) were represented by a delegation from the Ministry of Health, led by Honourable Shaun D. Malcolm, and included Mrs. Desiree Lewis, Permanent Secretary, Dr. Nadia Astwood, Chief Medical Officer, Mr. Lynrod Brooks, Director of Health Policy and Planning, Ms. Betty-Ann Been, Director of Aged-Care and Rehabilitation, and Mrs. Kissia Thomas-Cornwall, Executive Assistant.

The objectives of the 47th Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) focused on advancing critical aspects of human and social development within CARICOM. Key objectives included:

1. Addressing pressing health-related issues within the region, such as social determinants of health, public health concerns, and their impact on the quality of life of Caribbean citizens.
2. Collaborating on strategies to improve health systems and policies to enhance the well-being of communities, families, and individuals.
3. Ensuring equitable access to vaccines and addressing challenges such as vaccine hesitancy, to bolster the region’s resilience to future health threats.
4. Strengthening public health systems and aligning regional strategies to mitigate the risk of future pandemics and health emergencies.

The meeting served as a platform for government officials, health ministers, and other key stakeholders from CARICOM member states to exchange insights and strategies for improving regional health outcomes.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Armstrong Alexis, CARICOM Deputy Secretary-General, highlighted the significance of social determinants on health, functioning, and quality of life. He noted that social determinants are contributing to many societal issues, including crime and violence, which are adversely impacting public health and communities. Dr. Alexis reaffirmed CARICOM’s commitment to providing technical and administrative support for policy formulation and implementation, emphasising the need for collective commitment to addressing the region’s pressing health and social issues.

Honourable Shaun Malcolm, Minister of Health and Human Services of the TCI, underscored the importance of regional collaboration to successfully address the major health challenges facing the Caribbean, with a goal of improving health outcomes.