Caribbean Public Health Agency Explained

Agency Name:Caribbean Public Health Agency
Formed:[1]
Preceding1:The Caribbean Environmental Health Institute (CEHI)
Preceding2:The Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC)
Preceding3:The Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (CFNI)
Preceding4:The Caribbean Health Research Council (CHRC)
Preceding5:The Caribbean Regional Drug Testing Laboratory (CRDTL)
Jurisdiction:CARICOM
Chief1 Name:Dr. Cheryl Joy St. John
Chief1 Position:Executive Director
Website:http://www.carpha.org/

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is a regional public health agency headquartered in Trinidad and Tobago[2] which was established by CARICOM leaders in July 2011 and began operation in 2013.

CARPHA combines the functions of five pre-existing regional health institutions:[3] The Caribbean Environmental Health Institute (CEHI), The Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC), The Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (CFNI), The Caribbean Health Research Centre (CHRC), and The Caribbean Research and Drug Treatment Laboratory (CRDTL).

History

The CARPHA was established in 2013.

On 14 May 2014, the CARPHA acknowledged the gift by the Government of Canada of a Biosafety level 3 laboratory.[4] [5]

Role

CARPHA aims to address regional issues including:[6]

COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic CARPHA has been performing tests for 18 countries in the region but warned on 5 April 2020, that they were running short on reagents required for COVID-19 testing and expected to be able to continue testing for three weeks.[7]

On 9 April 2020, the European Union announced a grant of, which will be implemented by the Caribbean Public Health Agency, for the fight against the coronavirus.[8]

On 11 April 2020, Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados who is the CARICOM Chair, called a special Heads of Government meeting to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, and establish a common public health protocol, and border policy.[9] The governments have agreed to the proposal in a virtual meeting.[10]

Membership

CARPHA has 26 full members throughout the Americas.[11]

Country Joined Population
Anguilla-align=right
Antigua and Barbuda-align=right
Aruba-align=right
Bahamas-align=right
Barbados-align=right
Belize-align=right
Bermuda-align=right
BES Islands (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, Saba)-align=right
British Virgin Islands-align=right
Cayman Islands-align=right
Curaçao-align=right
Dominica-align=right
Grenada-align=right
Haiti-align=right
Guyana-align=right
Jamaica-align=right
Montserrat-align=right
Saint Kitts and Nevis-align=right
Saint Lucia-align=right
Sint Maarten-align=right
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines-align=right
Suriname-align=right
Trinidad and Tobago-align=right
Turks and Caicos Islands-align=right

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: CARICOM to Establish Health Agency . 15 June 2011 . 5 April 2020 . Caribbean Journal.
  2. Web site: Remarks by Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community, (CARICOM) At The Launch of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) . 3 July 2013 . 5 April 2020 . CARICOM.
  3. Web site: Caribbean Public Health Agency to launch operations in 2013 . 18 December 2012 . 5 April 2020 . Kaieteur News.
  4. News: BSL-3 lab funded by Canada initiative of The Global Partnership Program Press Release . Germfree Laboratories, Inc . 20 May 2014.
  5. News: Canada donates Biosafety Level 3 modular laboratory to Caribbean health authorities . News Wire Publications, LLC News Wire Publications, LLC . Homeland Security News Wire . 2 June 2014.
  6. Web site: About The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) . 5 April 2020 . CARPHA.
  7. Web site: Global shortage of key ingredient could affect COVID-19 testing in Caribbean . 5 April 2020 . Jamaica Observer.
  8. News: EU provides US$8.6M grant for C’bean to combat COVID-19. Kaieteur News. 9 April 2020.
  9. News: COVID-19: Special CARICOM Heads of Government meeting scheduled. Loop News Barbados. 13 April 2020.
  10. News: Caricom-staatshoofden stemmen in met gezamenlijk gezondheidsprotocol. Suriname Herald. 17 April 2020. nl.
  11. Web site: Caribbean Public Health Agency Member States . The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) . 7 April 2021.