THE REGIONAL STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION HELPS BOLSTER PANDEMIC MANAGEMENT THROUGH PREVENTION AND PREPAREDNESS.

The Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs of Saint Lucia is proud to announce significant strides in enhancing pandemic management across the island, following the participation of a distinguished delegation at the Caribbean Regional Stakeholder Consultation Workshop on the Regional CARPHA Pandemic Fund Project. The event, which took place in Trinidad and Tobago from August 05 to 07, 2024, focused on “Reducing the Public Health Impact of Pandemics in the Caribbean through Prevention, Preparedness, and Response.”

The Saint Lucian delegation, led by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sharon Belmar-George, Laboratory Director Dr. Wayne Felicien, and Medical Surveillance Officer Dr. Dana Gomez, engaged extensively with regional counterparts to discuss strengthening pandemic preparedness and response.

Dr. Belmar-George chaired the third critical session on "Regional Coordination and Data Sharing”, emphasizing the necessity of collaborative efforts across the Caribbean to enhance public health responses to pandemics.

“One of the crucial components under the Pandemic Fund is regional coordination and data sharing. Learning from the COVID-19 pandemic, it's clear that coordination and collaboration with various agencies are integral for the successful management of public health events. It is vital to establish linkages even before an event occurs. Moreover, data sharing is essential for making evidence-based decisions on policy within the Caribbean.”

The Pandemic Fund, initiated by CARPHA and supported by the Inter-American Development Bank, aims to provide additional financing to strengthen preparedness and response capabilities across the Caribbean. This funding is expected to address critical gaps in countries through investments and technical support, promoting an integrated 'One Health' approach among the Caribbean nations.

According to Dr. George, on returning to Saint Lucia, the health delegation is set to implement the in-country work plan of the Pandemic Fund, with close oversight and coordination by CARPHA. This plan includes enhancing disease surveillance systems, boosting laboratory capacities, and improving early warning systems for climate-related health threats.

“The pandemic fund will provide crucial financing to bolster our preparedness and response capabilities, addressing critical gaps through strategic investments and robust technical support. This initiative will significantly reinforce our ongoing efforts to implement comprehensive health frameworks across the island,” stated Dr. Belmar-George.

Saint Lucia's proactive participation in regional discussions and its commitment to improving pandemic management practices underscore its dedication to safeguarding public health and enhancing resilience against future health crises.