Harare — From 29 June to 4 July 2025, Zimbabwe conducted its second Joint External Evaluation (JEE) to assess the country’s capacity to prevent,...
Vous n'êtes pas connecté
THE Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has strengthened the region’s capacity to detect and respond to public health threats in a timely manner through a four-day regional multisectoral workshop on strengthening Emergency and Response (E&R) and integrated Early Warning Systems (EWS), using Carpha’s EWS tools. The workshop was held in Kingston, Jamaica from July 8-11 and brought together over 60 public health professionals from 11 regional member states. Participants included national epidemiologists, surveillance officers, laboratory specialists, environmental health officers, emergency response co-ordinators, port health personnel and representatives from ministries of health, tourism and disaster management. The training focused on improving emergency co-ordination, enhancing surveillance capabilities and strengthening countries’ ability to respond swiftly to public health threats. The workshop was funded by CARPHA’s Pandemic Fund Project for Reducing the Public Health Impact of Pandemics in the Caribbean and its EU’s 11th European Development Fund Programme for Health Security Strengthening. Countries were trained in CARPHA’s Caribbean-tailored innovative tools for strengthening EWS, such as its enhanced DHIS-2 system, timeliness metrics strategy, tourism and health information system (THiS), and mass gathering syndromic surveillance system (MGSS). A key focus of the training was the introduction of CARPHA’s timeliness metrics strategy. This Caribbean-specific tool helps countries assess how quickly they move from detection to response during a public health event in a Caribbean small island developing, tourism dependant setting. With its use, countries can identify delays and bottlenecks and improve national decision-making timelines to prevent rapid spread and large outbreaks. Participants were introduced to the CARPHA digital surveillance tools used for early warning surveillance in the detection and monitoring of infectious diseases in different environments. The systems reviewed were the THiS system used in tourism accommodations, the cruise ship vessel sanitation surveillance system (CVSS) on cruise ships, and the MGSS system which tracks symptoms reported during large public events. All tools are tailored to the Caribbean context and support early detection of unusual health events before they escalate. The workshop featured simulation exercises that allowed participants to develop and test incident action plans and strengthen real-time co-ordination among national sectors. These exercises also highlighted the importance of clear communication protocols and collaboration across agencies. Dr Lisa Indar, CARPHA’s executive director underscored the significance of the initiative. “This workshop represents CARPHA’s continued commitment to strengthening Member States’ readiness and response capabilities with novel EWS tools designed for the Caribbean context, that is, small islands, varying surveillance and laboratory capacities, porous interconnected borders, tourism dependency and vulnerability to disasters and climate change impact. “Through this initiative, we are reinforcing the foundation for EWS and a more timely, coordinated and resilient Caribbean public health system, one that responds quickly, decisively, and collaboratively to health emergencies.” Speaking on behalf of Errol Green, Jamaica’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Howard Lynch, Chief Technical Director, Policy, Planning and Development, said, “What is certain is that health threats are no respecter of borders and early detection is crucial in mitigating their impact. “Strengthening regional and multisectoral co-ordination is a sign of our deepened investment and commitment to health sector resilience. This collaboration is sure to enhance information sharing, promote research and shore up early warning and disease surveillance systems; laboratory systems and strengthen public health human resources.” Karisa Ribeiro, Chief of Operations at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), underscored the importance of CARPHA’s leadership in advancing regional resilience. “As a trusted authority in regional health, CARPHA has launched the groundbreaking (CARPHA Pandemic Fund) project to reduce the public health impact of pandemics in the Caribbean through prevention, preparedness and response. This project goes beyond national borders, as Dr. Lisa (Indar) mentioned; it recognises that no single country can tackle pandemic threats alone. Regional coordination is not a luxury. It is a necessity,” she emphasised. The post CARPHA oversees emergency response training appeared first on Trinidad and Tobago Newsday.
Harare — From 29 June to 4 July 2025, Zimbabwe conducted its second Joint External Evaluation (JEE) to assess the country’s capacity to prevent,...
Harare — From 29 June to 4 July 2025, Zimbabwe conducted its second Joint External Evaluation (JEE) to assess the country’s capacity to prevent,...
STAKEHOLDERS are calling on THA Secretary of Health, Wellness and Social Protection Dr Faith Brebnor to clear the air about the recent influx of...
STAKEHOLDERS are calling on THA Secretary of Health, Wellness and Social Protection Dr Faith Brebnor to clear the air about the recent influx of...
Download logo In a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing mpox outbreak response and genomic surveillance capacity, the Central Public Health...
Download logo In a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing mpox outbreak response and genomic surveillance capacity, the Central Public Health...
Download logo Today the first cohort of the Regional Public Health Emergency Management Training graduated in Abuja. The intermediate level training...
Download logo Today the first cohort of the Regional Public Health Emergency Management Training graduated in Abuja. The intermediate level training...
Seventeen public health emergency operations centre staff members from countries across the region – Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The...
Seventeen public health emergency operations centre staff members from countries across the region – Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The...