On Wednesday 19 February 2020, Executive Director of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), Dr Joy St John, made a courtesy visit to the Office of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) Representation to Barbados and Eastern Caribbean Countries (PWR-ECC) and met with the newly appointed PWR-ECC, Dr Yitades Gebre.
The two public health officials discussed the current outbreak of COVID-19 and strengthening collaboration through the PAHO Sub-Regional Coordination Office for the Caribbean (SPC) and Public Health Emergency Department Incident management structure. The SPC Coordinator, Mrs Jessie Schutt-Aine, also attended the meeting.
The PWR highlighted in his discussion with the Executive Director that PAHO has continued its technical leadership to ensure that countries in the Eastern Caribbean are prepared for detection, management, and to respond effectively for the arrival of COVID-19 cases. It was also stated that the Organization has conducted training for laboratory personnel in Barbados and Dominica, training in Infection Prevention and Control, Clinical management.
In addition, the PWR mentioned that the World Bank funded projects to strengthen capacities on International Health Regulation (IHR) in selected Eastern Caribbean Countries. The organization support in the area of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) risk factor surveys and Family Health and Health Promotion program activities as well as Climate Change and health projects. In closing, the CARPHA Executive Director thanked the PWR for hosting the courtesy visit.
