PM Terrance Drew launched partnership between CARPHA and COMISCA

The Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr Terrance Drew, officially launched the partnership between CARPHA and COMISCA.

While addressing everyone through the virtual launch of the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency and the Council of Ministers of Health of Central America, PM Drew stated that it is a historic moment that marks the formalisation of a health partnership.

This partnership will be considered a huge milestone as it connects two main regional organisations of the Caribbean.

PM Drew, who has also been a medical practitioner and who has led the responsibility for health within 15 member CARICOM quasi-Cabinet, expressed his gratitude for representing his region on the launch of the CARPHA-COMISCA Collaboration.

While shedding light on Caribbean Plus Health Agency (CARPHA) goals, PM Drew stated that CARPHA aims to pursue an inclusive ‘One Health’ approach.

Moreover, with this partnership, they will be able to address all the challenges and emergencies of health faced by the citizens.

The prime focus of CARPHA is to promote the shared priorities marked in the Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Caribbean Cooperation in Health IV said by PM Drew.

The fundamental of CARPHA’s strategy lies in an extensive partnership policy which describes the methodology and the requirements needed to promote collaboration.

This policy aims to enhance and foster the relationship between partners by addressing public health problems and emergencies through combined actions and shared services.

The Council of Ministers of Health of Central America (COMISCA) goal is to prioritise the issues and problems regarding health.

Moreover, COMISCA serves as the regional forum for eight member countries, namely:

• Costa Rica
• Guatemala
• El Salvador
• Nicaragua
• Panama
• Belize
• Dominican Republic
• Honduras

While shedding light on the history of collaboration between the two regions, PM Drew stated that CARPHA and COMISCA have a long history of working together.

PM Drew added that both regions have dealt with many issues, namely education, health, disaster management, etc.

PM Drew also emphasised the significance of collaboration between CARPHA and COMISCA. He stated that this collaboration is very important as the Caribbean nations face several challenges, such as climate change, non-communicable diseases and chronic diseases. So, this collaboration will play a pivotal role in order to combat those challenges.

Dr Drew also mentioned that the political directorate has given an assurance that they will provide all the strategic policies for the betterment of the health systems.

He also showed his utmost confidence in the success of the partnership, and this collaboration will be able to face all the challenges faced by the Caribbean nation, as stated by PM Drew.