PAHO and CARPHA formalize partnership to enhance health initiatives across the Caribbean

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) have consolidated their ongoing alliance through the signing of a new Framework Agreement covering 2026 to 2030. This agreement underscores their shared dedication to advancing public health across the Caribbean region, as per a joint press release.

Designed as an operational blueprint, the agreement aims to foster a unified regional approach to health, enhancing coordination and partnerships among member states. This comes at a pivotal time, as Caribbean nations reportedly grapple with increasingly complex health challenges amid resource constraints, yet continue to face significant public health demands.

Spanning the five-year period, the pact positions both entities to work more cohesively within the framework of the PAHO–CARICOM Joint Subregional Cooperation Strategy. The release explains that the focus is on bolstering health systems, enhancing emergency preparedness, and improving overall health outcomes for Caribbean populations. Fundamentally, the agreement reaffirms a longstanding and trusted partnership between PAHO and CARPHA—built on shared responsibility, mutual accountability, and a common goal to uplift the health and well-being of the region’s people.

During a virtual signing ceremony, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, PAHO Director, highlighted the importance of the agreement: “This Agreement enables PAHO and CARPHA to jointly develop regional strategies and plans of action, implement health programmes aligned with our Strategic Plans and Programme Budgets, and provide technical cooperation that is responsive to country needs. It also establishes a clear framework for subsidiary agreements, ensuring transparency, accountability, and results-based implementation”.

Meanwhile, CARPHA’s Executive Director, Dr. Lisa Indar, emphasized the importance of resource efficiency: “Caribbean countries rightly expect that the limited resources available for technical cooperation are used efficiently, effectively, and strategically to achieve the greatest possible impact for our Caribbean citizens”. Dr Indar added, “This can only be achieved through stronger collaboration, streamlined implementation, reduced duplication and a lighter operational burden on our Member States”.

According to the release, over the years, PAHO has provided substantial support to CARPHA across various critical areas. These include establishing a Caribbean regulatory system, bolstering laboratory capacity, addressing climate resilience and environmental health issues, tackling non-communicable diseases, managing risk communication and community engagement, and enhancing emergency preparedness—particularly in foodborne disease response.

Looking ahead, both organizations say they are eager to deepen their collaboration over the coming years, translating the framework into tangible improvements in health outcomes for Caribbean populations.