Health Experts Call For Unified Action To Tackle T&T’s Non-Communicable Disease Burden

In a significant move to address growing concerns over the burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), the HealthCare Committee of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce hosted the event, “Transforming Healthcare: Bridging Gaps for a Healthier Future.” The event began with a keynote address by The Chairman of the HealthCare Committee, Mr. Barry Tangwell, who outlined the Committee’s Triple Win approach for NCD prevention.

Trinidad and Tobago faces a significant challenge from NCDs. According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO),1 chronic conditions such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes account for over 62% of annual deaths in the country. A particularly devastating fact is that three-quarters of these deaths occur in individuals under the age of 70, highlighting the profound impact on families and communities.

Following the Chairman’s address, an expert panel addressed the urgent need for a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach to combat these conditions. The panelists, including Mr. Barry Tangwell, Chairman of the TTCIC Health Committee; Dr. Henry Bailey of the UWI Health Economics Unit; Dr. Kimberly Badal of the Caribbean Cancer Research Institute (CCRI); and Mr. Alvaro Soto of Roche Pharma, moderated by Mrs. Katyane BolandRamnarine AVP Massy Distribution, highlighted that real progress is only possible through a “shared commitment to genuine partnerships.”

Key Takeaways from the Event:
● Partnerships are the “Lifeblood of Progress”: Mr. Barry Tangwell emphasized that no single entity can transform the healthcare system alone. He stressed the need to move beyond “building empires” and start “building ecosystems” through a shared commitment to real partnerships that break down silos between public, private, and civil society sectors. The ultimate mission, he stated, is to support activities that promote improved patient outcomes, transparency, and fair trade, with a singular focus on putting “people first”.

● Overcoming Distrust for Collective Action: Mr. Alvaro Soto pointed out that a “profound distrust in the healthcare system” is a major challenge that limits publicprivate collaboration. He issued a call to action for a shared commitment to genuine partnerships to combine strengths and focus on comprehensive, data-driven solutions. He noted that this approach could strengthen diagnostic capacity and bring
personalized solutions to patients through new models like tender diversification, which refers to adopting more flexible purchasing methods -beyond price-based procurement- to acquire novel and effective medical solutions tailored to individual patient needs.

● Bridging Gaps through Technology and Innovation: The panel recognized the need to modernize the healthcare system by embracing innovation. Dr. Henry Bailey highlighted that Trinidad and Tobago has the tools to implement Health Technology Assessment (HTA), a method crucial for transforming healthcare and reducing health inequality, but these tools are not yet being utilized in the public sector. Similarly, Dr. Kimberly Badal proposed a scalable project focusing on patient navigation and using
an electronic medical record system to track a patient’s journey from screening to diagnosis and treatment.

Next Steps:
The Chamber’s HealthCare Committee is committed to support initiatives that improve access, equity, and outcomes for the local population. The committee has identified five key areas of focus, including Collaboration/Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), NCD Management, eHealth, Financial Sustainability, and Tender Diversification—to create a more patient-centered healthcare environment.

As a critical bridge in the healthcare ecosystem, the Chamber has extended an invitation to the Minister of Health and other key ministry stakeholders to be a part of continuous, collaborative, consultation sessions through the HealthCare Committee to bridge gaps for a healthier future for the Trinbagonian population.

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