CASTRIES, CMC – The Japanese Caribbean has launched a undertaking to spice up pandemic preparedness and response within the sub-region, bringing renewed focus to constructing resilient, built-in well being techniques that may higher detect and reply to future well being threats.
The Pan American Well being Group (PAHO) stated the undertaking, titled “Strengthening Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Rising Well being Threats within the Japanese Caribbean,” is funded by the Pandemic Fund and can profit Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Kitts-Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
It’s being applied via a partnership among the many Pan American Well being Group/World Well being Group (PAHO/WHO), the Meals and Agriculture Group (FAO), and the World Financial institution.
PAHO said that by adopting a One Well being strategy, which acknowledges the interconnection of human, animal, and environmental well being, the undertaking prioritizes stopping outbreaks earlier than they happen, detecting them early, and responding promptly and effectively after they do.
It said that key areas of focus embody conducting cross-sectoral assessments to establish gaps and set priorities, strengthening multisectoral surveillance and early response techniques, enhancing laboratory diagnostic capability for well timed detection, and constructing and retaining expert well being and veterinary personnel.
“This launch marks a significant milestone for the Japanese Caribbean area,” stated Dr. Amalia Del Riego, PAHO/WHO Consultant for Barbados and the Japanese Caribbean.
“By embracing a One Well being strategy and reinforcing our techniques collectively, we’re constructing a future the place international locations can detect, reply to, and stop rising threats extra successfully, defending lives and livelihoods,” she added.
PAHO said that the Pandemic Fund was established in 2022, following the COVID-19 pandemic, and helps low- and middle-income international locations in strengthening crucial techniques for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, with an emphasis on surveillance, laboratory techniques, and well being workforce capability.
“The Japanese Caribbean Regional Well being Safety Undertaking is a crucial step towards safeguarding lives and livelihoods throughout the area,” stated Priya Basu, government head of the Pandemic Fund.
“By way of this initiative, we’re strengthening illness surveillance, laboratory networks, and the general public well being workforce throughout six international locations, laying the inspiration for extra resilient, inclusive, and coordinated well being techniques.
“The Pandemic Fund is proud to assist this effort by bringing catalytic assets and a collaborative, cross-sectoral strategy that helps international locations flip preparedness plans into significant, sustained motion.”
Basu stated what units the Pandemic Fund aside is its capability to work throughout sectors and with a variety of companions,” including that the Fund’s catalytic energy is demonstrated via a US$24.4 million grant, which helps to mobilize a further US$30 million in co-investment and co-financing.
A symbolic unveiling of the undertaking plaque befell right here final weekend, bringing collectively a broad cross-section of companions and stakeholders, together with regional establishments just like the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Well being Company (CARPHA) and the Organisation of Japanese Caribbean States (OECS).
“A One Well being strategy permits us to behave early and act extra successfully by recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental well being,” stated Dr. Renata Clarke, FAO Subregional Coordinator for the Caribbean.
“Constructing true resilience requires strengthening animal well being techniques, bettering multisectoral surveillance, defending ecosystems, and coordinating responses via joint planning,” she added.
She stated human well being can’t be safeguarded with out parallel investments in veterinary providers, environmental monitoring, and cross-sectoral coordination.
“With assist from the Pandemic Fund, we’re implementing built-in actions to cut back sickness, saving lives, and minimizing financial disruptions. At FAO, we’re proud to guide efforts associated to animal well being, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and intersectoral coordination. We’re equally happy to collaborate with PAHO and the World Financial institution, who deliver worthwhile experience in public well being and growth.
“In the end, nevertheless, this undertaking is country-driven, guided by your management, aligned by your priorities, and formed by your imaginative and prescient,” she stated.
Lilia Burunciuc, World Financial institution Division Director for the Caribbean, said that a necessary factor of this undertaking is the collaboration between regional and worldwide companions to reinforce well being safety within the Japanese Caribbean.
“Working along with governments, the World Financial institution is striving to assist international locations ship high quality, inexpensive well being providers to the individuals of the Japanese Caribbean,” she added.
With the energetic involvement of each the well being and agriculture sectors, PAHO stated this initiative displays a mannequin of collaborative governance and multisectoral motion.
“It goals to make sure that international locations within the Japanese Caribbean are higher outfitted, technically, operationally and institutionally, to forestall future outbreaks and reply decisively after they happen,” it added.
