Mpox, Malaria And Dengue Cases Discussed At Regional Meeting

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MPOX

Crime and violence as a public health issue, regional health security, human resources for health, disease surveillance, and matters pertaining to the Port-of-Spain Declaration on Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) were among the priority issues discussed at the Meeting of Officials preparatory to the Forty-Seventh Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) – Health, held virtually on 11 September 2024. 

The Meeting was convened under the chairmanship of Dr. Andy St. Hilaire, Officer-in- Charge, Office of the Chief Medical Officer, Dominica. Chief Medical Officers, national health officials and representatives from regional institutions and bodies, including the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the Human Resources for Health Caribbean Commission and the Regional Nursing Body, were in attendance. Regional and international partners, the Global Fund and Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organisation (WHO), also participated. 

Presentations were made on the Region’s epidemiological trends, specifically how these will affect policy, and the possible approaches to eliminate communicable diseases. Discussions also focused on strengthening the Region’s health systems and boosting its human resources for health capacity. Of special significance was the presentation of the policy brief on the migration of healthcare workers in the Caribbean, for consideration by health sector development stakeholders. 

Delivering opening remarks, Ms. Tamara Bobb, Programme Manager of Health Sector Development at the CARICOM Secretariat, underscored the impact of Hurricane Beryl on CARICOM Member States. She referred to the devastation in Grenada and, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the significant setbacks to the respective health systems. “Events such as these are only expected to intensify due to the effects of climate change,” stated Ms. Bobb. 

The Programme Manager highlighted an increase in the incidence of endemic infectious diseases, including Dengue and Malaria. In addition, she noted that Member States have been advised to remain vigilant to the threat of Mpox, which was declared a public health emergency of international concern by the WHO in August 2024. 

“NCDs continue to be among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in the Caribbean,” stated Ms. Bobb, “Approximately 76% of all deaths in the Region are caused by NCDs.” She also advised that the incidence of crime and violence has increased in the Region, leading to its declaration by Heads of Government as a public health issue in 2023.  

Regarding the Region’s representation within international fora, the Programme Manager emphasised that the CARICOM Secretariat remains committed to ensuring that Member States’ specific needs are expressed and that the Community continues to make valuable contributions to setting the global health agenda.  She invited the Meeting to consider the development of key international partnerships and the implications of the Amendments to the International Health Regulations that were recently passed in the Seventh-Seventh World Health Assembly.

This Meeting was crucial to the continued leadership and strategic direction of the Region’s health sector development as critical stakeholders prepare for the Forty-Seventh COHSOD – Health, which will be held 27-28 September 2024 in Washington DC, United States of America.     

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4 COMMENTS

  1. One question folks:

    Whatever happened to our own Health Minister Molwyn ‘AstraZeneca’ Joseph?

    I haven’t heard from he in a while. Has he repented for his past misdemeanours and sins?

    Has he helped the vaccine injured in regards to him mandating the highly dangerous mRNA TRIAL vaccines on Antiguans?

    Never forget that he continued mandating AstraZeneca when the UK (the makers of AZ) had banned its use on their own citizens.

    I hope he’s no longer in office, because he’s never apologised to Antiguans for his wrongdoings.

  2. Go away, and take all the manufactured infectious diseases with you!
    Stop gaslighting the Caribbean people with your fear mongering.

    I counted 39 deaths on 28 th August that occured in August on the ABS site. It’s obvious ppl in Antigua aren’t paying attention. That’s more that one person per day and there were 3 days remaining before the month ended. These deaths aren’t all natural. Something caused many of them — particularly the sudden, unexpected ones; and the carnage is not over. The less intervention from this organization, the longer ppl will live.

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