Dr. Armstrong Alexis, Deputy Secretary General, CARICOM.
GEORGETOWN, Guyana--A delegation from the Caribbean Community CARICOM Secretariat, headed by Deputy Secretary General (DSG), Dr. Armstrong Alexis, is participating in the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, Switzerland, from May 19 to 27, according to a press release from the CARICOM Secretariat.
As the Community prepares for the impact of shifting global policies on healthcare systems in the Caribbean, including the reduction in funding for critical programmes such as those addressing HIV and AIDS, there are several critical global health issues for Member States’ attention on the agenda. These are the final draft of the pandemic agreement, human resources for health, combating antimicrobial resistance, addressing climate change impacts and tackling non-communicable diseases, the release states.
Ahead of the meeting, Dr. Alexis emphasised that protecting the health of CARICOM citizens and advocating for solutions for health sector challenges experienced by small island developing states (SIDS) will be a high priority for discussion.
“This year’s World Health Assembly is going to be very important, largely because there are changes taking place in the international community, particularly within the multilateral system of global governance. Health governance is a critical part of it … with changes taking place, the presence of the Caribbean [is required – Ed.] to ensure that the concerns of small island developing states within the global architecture of healthcare and public health, are not lost when conversations are taking place at the international level,” stated the DSG.
He underscored that while it is always essential for the Community to be represented at the WHA, it is crucial this time because of the global changes and the withdrawal of some of the Region’s traditional partners, according to the release. Dr Alexis also noted that representation at this level was essential to protect the health architecture of the world as global health policies shift.
“We have to ensure that the interest of the Caribbean is protected,” stated the DSG.
CARICOM Secretariat Programme Manager for Health Sector Development, Tamara Bobb, who will also attend the meeting, provided insight.
“In addition to the main agenda, a caucus of CARICOM ministers of health and their heads of delegation will convene in the margins of the Assembly to deliberate on priority areas for the Caribbean Community and the 78th World Health Assembly agenda items of interest to Member States.
"The Secretariat remains fully committed to advancing these discussions and fostering regional solidarity in health diplomacy. We look forward to positive outcomes that will benefit our Community and strengthen our collective resilience,” stated the programme manager.
