The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) says it’s aiming for a healthier and more resilient Caribbean with its new strategic plan.
The theme of the strategic plan is Stronger Together: Advancing Caribbean Health through Collaboration, Innovation, and Sustainable Action.
Speaking at the launch on Wednesday, Deputy Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community, Dr. Armstrong Alexis, said the Agency’s 2025 to 2030 strategic plan aligns with CARICOM’s goals for regional healthcare.
“A thorough review of the CARICOM 2030 strategic plan and CARPHA’s plan acknowledge the growing need for integrated mental health and psychosocial support. This is especially relevant in the post-disaster and post-pandemic context, and evidence from post-Beryl, post-Covid-19, and post-volcanic eruption in St. Vincent and the Grenadines indicates clearly that trauma and recovery intersect with development.”
Executive Director of CARPHA, Dr. Lisa Indar, said the new strategic plan includes an updated outlook on public health issues.
“The six strategic priority areas from the last strategic plan have been retained, but key emerging threats to public health as identified by our countries, such as antimicrobial resistance and crime and violence as a public health issue, have been integrated into the new plan.”
CARPHA’s Chairman, Dr. Philip Telesford, described the strategic plan as more than just a technical milestone for the agency.
“It recognises that public health is no longer confined to hospitals and clinics. It is about climate change. It is about food security. It is about mental health. It is about digital transformation and the social determinants that shape our lives long before we ever see a doctor.”