Last Updated on November 25, 2023, 2:18 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr Terrance Drew, launched the CARPHA-COMISCA partnership and collaboration on Friday, 24th November.
The innovative collaboration marks the formalisation of a major health partnership between two major Caribbean regional organisations. Addressing the crowd virtually during the inauguration, Prime Minister Drew highlighted that it was a pleasure to represent his region at the CARPHA-COMISCA partnership and collaboration launch.
Yesterday marked an important milestone in Caribbean regional health initiatives. This historic moment acts as a formalisation of a health partnership between two important Caribbean regional organisations.
The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is strongly committed to an inclusive health approach, leveraging partnerships to address health challenges and crises in the region.
Its main objective is to promote the common priorities outlined in Caribbean Cooperation IV in Health and the Goals for Sustainable Development.
At the core of CARPHA and the strategy is a comprehensive partnership policy defining the organization, vision, methodology, and conditions to promote cooperation.
This policy aims to develop formal partnerships that address regional public health priorities and crises through coordinated action and shared services.
The Central American Council of Ministers of Health (COMISCA) is a regional forum for eight member states:
- Belize,
- Costa Rica,
- Guatemala,
- El Salvador,
- Honduras,
- Nicaragua,
- Panama
- the Dominican Republic.
It is dedicated to identifying and prioritizing regional health problems.
The Executive Secretariat of COMISCA (SE-COMISCA) is the board that ensures the implementation of the five-year health plan for Central America and the Dominican Republic. It coordinates year-round regional health activities and facilitates cooperation with regional health authorities.
Prime Minister Drew emphasized the history of collaboration between CARPHA and COMISCA and the long-term partnership between CARPHA and COMISCA on many issues, including Health, education and disaster management, which can only strengthen this informal but successful cooperation.
CARPHA-COMISCA cooperation and collaboration formalizes this partnership and creates a framework for even wider cooperation in the future. This is important as the Caribbean region faces several challenges, including climate change and chronic and non-communicable diseases.
Cooperation means a joint effort to respond to regional health challenges and ensure political support for strategic policies that strengthen health systems.
Dr. Drew confirmed that the political department can be sure that through this collaboration, they will promote strategic policies necessary to strengthen the health systems.
Recognizing the visionary leadership of CARPHA and COMISCA, Dr. Drew expressed his confidence in the partnership’s success and envisioned a transformative impact on the region and the healthcare landscape.
Prime Minister Drew noted that he was sure the CARPHA-COMISCA cooperation and collaboration would succeed. CARPHA and COMISCA can better address the challenges facing the Caribbean and improve the lives of all Caribbean people by working together.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
