The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the single regional public health agency for the Caribbean, legally established in 2011 but which started its operation in July 2013, has completed 10 successful years. CARPHA was established by the Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) – an intergovernmental grouping of twenty countries (fifteen Member States and five Associate Members) in the Caribbean region – resting on four main pillars namely, economic integration, foreign policy coordination, human and social development, and security- through the signing of an agreement in 2011.
The 2011 Agreement defined the following main objectives of CARPHA: 1) to promote the physical and mental health and wellness of people within the Caribbean; 2) to provide strategic direction, in analysing, defining and responding to public health priorities of the Caribbean Community; 3) to promote and develop measures for the prevention of disease in the Caribbean; 4) to support the Caribbean Community in preparing for and responding to public health emergencies; and 5) to support solidarity in health, as one of the principal pillars of functional cooperation in the Caribbean Community.
Since its inception, CARPHA has played a major role during public health crisis. This was most evident during the COVID-19 crisis. In 2020, CARPHA was commended for COVID-19 preparedness and response in the Caribbean region. CARICOM Member States then welcomed the communications strategy developed by CARPHA to increase public knowledge on actions being taken to prevent importation and or transmission of the virus in the Region. They noted that the strategy was important to counter myths and misinformation thereby reducing potential social media hysteria associated with the fear of an outbreak in CARICOM Members. In 2021, CARPHA launched a COVID-19 vaccine acceptance survey. The survey successfully assessed the beliefs and opinions of Caribbean residents, about COVID-19 vaccines and the potential barriers to acceptance of these vaccines. This information helped to inform regional public education vaccine campaigns to address concerns, build trust and understanding, and thus engaging and empowering the public.
In January 2023, CARPHA encouraged the Ministries of Health of the CARICOM Member States to maintain surveillance of severe acute respiratory illness; hospitalisations and deaths; PCR testing and gene sequencing of severe hospitalised cases; and hospital intensive care to avoid deaths. The Agency also urged the general public to safeguard against the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses through personal responsibility, that is practising cough etiquette and mask wearing according to national protocols.
Also in January 223, CARPHA encouraged journalists to work with the Agency in improving the public’s understanding of existing and new public health risks; and to promote personal responsibility and protective actions and behaviours that mitigate against these risks. CARPHA had also engaged journalists in a discussion on “COVID-19 Pandemic Reflections” in November 2022, as part of the Health Reporting Initiative.
Apart from its efforts to combat the COVID-19 health crisis, CARPHA was undertaken other noteworthy initiatives in the health sector. The agency has earned accreditation for its three laboratories which includes the only ISO/IEC 17025 accredited medicines quality control laboratory in the English-speaking Caribbean. As part of CARPHA’s support to Member States in responding to the growing challenges of vector-borne diseases, a new and innovative mobile app called Zap-a-‘quito, short for Zap a mosquito was launched. The Tourism and Health Programme was established to strengthen national capacity to detect and quickly respond to health threats and to build capacity for food safety and environmental management in the industry.
CARPHA also plays a leadership role in advancing and strengthening partnerships to support Regional Health Security and was the Chair of Global Health Security Agenda Action Package for Biosafety and Biosecurity for the period 2020 to 2021. Additionally, CARPHA supported Member States by regularly enhancing the skills of regional communications and health promotion specialists through training activities in areas related to risk communication and community engagement. In more recent times, the Agency has launched an online Regional Food Security and Nutrition Surveillance Course; a Diabetes Nutritional Management Toolkit; Caribbean Wellness Day, Caribbean Mosquito Awareness and COVID-19 and Vaccination Communication Toolkits; Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) hospitality, tourism operational standards.
“We were established to be the guardian of the Caribbean Community’s public health. Much was expected of us for the privilege of that position of trust. I am so proud that 10 years later, CARPHA is still here and still serving our Member States. For Caribbean Public Health Day, we want to take this time to reflect on all we have learnt. It is wonderful that there are achievements that have been recognised. More importantly, CARPHA has found many ways to add value in Caribbean public health and health security. We are determined to ensure the public health good of all Caribbean people,” stated CARPHA’s Executive Director, Dr. Joy St. John.
