A major step forward for regional health security as the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) unveiled its regional Emergency Operations Centre, strengthening the Caribbean’s ability to prepare for, respond to and coordinate public health emergencies.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony at CARPHA’s Port of Spain campus, Minister of Health Dr Lackram Bodoe applauded the initiative and recognised the impact the Centre will have on the region’s ability to respond to natural disasters and other crises.
“Prepared health systems can save lives, prepared countries recover faster, prepared regions stand stronger together. This new regional Emergency Operations Centre will strengthen our collective ability to detect emerging threats earlier, to coordinate responses more effectively, and to support Member States during disasters and reinforce resilience against future public health emergencies.”
The Centre, funded by the European Union, cost approximately €285,000.
It will act as a physical operational hub, coordinating CARPHA’s responses to infectious disease outbreaks, public health emergencies and disasters.
The Emergency Operations Centre will be driven by CARPHA’s Caribbean-tailored regional integrated early warning surveillance and response systems, in coordination with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA).
CARPHA’s Executive Director Dr Lisa Indar said the centre will improve response time.
“Through continuous monitoring of alerts and predefined activation protocols, the EOC will enable rapid assessment, timely decision-making, and a rapid mobilisation of CARPHA’s incident management team, resulting in the deployment of rapid response teams or deployment through rapid response mechanisms as soon as required.”
Ambassador of the European Union to Trinidad and Tobago, Her Excellency Cécile Tassin, said that it welcomes more partnerships like these as it continues to champion initiatives that positively impact the region.
“We are particularly interested in deepening cooperation on medicines regulation through Pharmanex, including support to CARPHA and the Caribbean regulatory system, drawing on the experience of the European Medicines Agency and European regulatory authorities. We also wish to deepen links between Caribbean and European institutions in research, innovation and skills.”
The commissioning of the facility ends the implementation of the 11th EDF Programme of Support for Health Security Strengthening for prevention and control of outbreaks of communicable diseases in the Caribbean.