September 26, 2023
The 45th Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) – Health (officials meeting) commenced today from Washington DC, with regional public health stakeholders and partners advocating for continued vigilance against COVID-19, threats from new and re-emerging communicable diseases, natural disasters resulting from climate change and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
In her opening remarks, Ms Helen Royer, Director, Human and Social Development, CARICOM Secretariat, remarked that the CARICOM Community is celebrating fifty years since its establishment and reflected on the public health achievements and regional public goods achieved through CARICOM interventions.
Regional Progress in Public Health
“According to the World Bank, life expectancy in the Caribbean rose from 62 years in 1960 to 73 years in 2020,” stated Ms Royer, “Infant mortality has decreased across the Region from 28 deaths per 1000 live births in 1990 to 15 deaths per 1000 live births in 2020. The maternal mortality ratio decreased from 114 per 100,000 live births in 2000 to 84 per 100,000 live births in 2020.”
She shared that the eradication of Poliomyelitis in the Latin American and Caribbean Region, and the Declaration of Port of Spain on addressing the Epidemic of NCDs in the Caribbean Community marked momentous occasions and exemplified the commitment of Member States to address the health of the people living in the community.
COVID-19 and NCDs remain threats
However, the Director warned that despite progress, Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) and national health officials continue to face significant challenges. “The COVID-19 pandemic presented an unprecedented event in the Region that overwhelmed health systems and had both economic and social impacts,” stated Ms Royer, “In addition, the Region continues to be at risk of threats from new and re-emerging communicable diseases, and more intense natural disasters resulting from climate change”. The Director also highlighted that NCDs continue to be a significant cause of death for people within the Region.
Her statements are substantiated by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), which noted in 2021 that the top 20 per cent of countries in the world with the highest hypertension prevalence included countries in the Caribbean, with Dominica (47.7 per cent) having the highest prevalence and Belize with the lowest prevalence (38 per cent).
Crime and Violence as a Public Health Issue
In addition, Ms. Royer highlighted that crime and violence has emerged as an issue of great public health importance in the Region. She referred to the Crime and Violence Symposium held in April 2023, and the subsequent Declaration, urging participants of the meeting to support the call by member states to treat crime as a public health issue.
Regional Cooperation for Health Phase IV (CCH IV)
The Director noted that regional cooperation and coordination remain essential to the success of all regional initiatives. She shared that the Regional Cooperation for Health Phase IV (CCH IV) ends its final year of implementation in 2024. Ms Royer explained that work will now be undertaken to develop the CCH V, and the input from Member States is essential to ensuring that the Regional Public Goods are relevant and representative of the highest priorities at the national and regional levels. She noted that Member States have put forward innovative initiatives in the areas of disaster response and strengthening of the regional capacity for the production and regulation of pharmaceuticals. “These could serve as potential mechanisms to strengthen health systems and supply chain issues,” noted the Director.
Ensuring resilient health systems
Ms. Mary Lou Valdez, Deputy Director, PAHO, echoed Ms. Royer’s sentiments. In her remarks, she advocated that the Region must ensure that health systems are strong, resilient, and well-prepared for the inevitable next pandemic. She noted that routine vaccination rates in the Region had decreased significantly in the past decade, and it was critical for the Region to take action.
Building on past success
The PAHO Deputy Director also recommended addressing the NCD epidemic by addressing both risk factors and improving care, especially at the primary care level. She called on the Region to fight communicable diseases, including HIV and AIDS, and emerging pathogens by continuing to build on past success. Ms Valdez also challenged the Region to develop innovative strategies and investment plans to tackle the impacts of climate change on health. She stated, “Together, we have an opportunity at COP28 with this year’s inclusion of health on the agenda.”
Regional Human Resources for Health Commission
Ms Valdez urged the Region to support the work of the Regional Human Resources for Health Commission to ensure that Caribbean countries have the health personnel they need and can retain them. She stated, “This year’s Policy on the Health Workforce 2030: Strengthening Human Resources for Health to Achieve Resilient Health Systems during the Directing Council provides you with good strategic and technical guidance.”
The Agenda
The CARICOM Secretariat convened the meeting with support from PAHO; participants received several updates on the status of NCDs, communicable diseases and other health-related issues, as well as details of initiatives to address challenges such as climate change and pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. In attendance were CMOs, national health officials, representatives from the CARICOM Secretariat, Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and PAHO, and our regional and international partners implementing work related to the Region’s public health.
The sessions continue tomorrow, Saturday, 23 September, with the Ministerial Meeting, which will include addresses by Ms Alison Drayton, Assistant Secretary General, CARICOM, and Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Director, PAHO.
The 45th COHSOD is integral to the continued leadership and strategic direction of public health stakeholders, as well as shaping and enhancing the future of health across the Region.