The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) officially entered a new era of cooperation by signing a landmark Framework Agreement for 2026–2030.
The agreement, signed during a virtual ceremony by PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa and CARPHA Executive Director Dr. Lisa Indar, provides a strategic roadmap to address the Caribbean’s increasingly complex health challenges, including climate-related health risks and the ongoing “silent epidemic” of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Strategic Pillars of the 2026–2030 Framework
This five-year plan is designed to reduce operational overlap and ensure that limited regional resources are used for the highest possible impact on Caribbean citizens.
Pandemic Preparedness & Surveillance: Strengthening regional “Early Warning Systems” and laboratory networks to detect and respond to emerging respiratory viruses and vector-borne diseases (like Chikungunya and Dengue).
Specialized Medical Care: Expanding access to high-complexity treatments, such as pediatric cancer care and hematopoietic (bone marrow) transplantation, through regional hospital networks.
Climate Resilience: Implementing the “One Health” approach to manage the impact of extreme weather events on water safety, food security, and mental health.
Regulatory Maturity: Strengthening the Caribbean Regulatory System (CRS) to facilitate the local production and procurement of safe, effective, and affordable medicines.
The “Joint Subregional Strategy” at a Glance
The framework aligns directly with the PAHO–CARICOM Joint Subregional Cooperation Strategy, focusing on six core areas of action:
| Priority Area | 2030 Strategic Goal |
| Health Systems | Achieving Universal Health Coverage through primary healthcare-led models. |
| NCD Control | Reducing premature mortality from diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. |
| Digital Health | Implementing regional standards for electronic health records and telehealth. |
| Health Security | Establishing a unified regional response mechanism for public health emergencies. |
| Workforce Development | Training an interdisciplinary cadre of “Climate-Health” leaders across 16 member states. |
“This agreement allows us to jointly develop regional strategies that are responsive to country needs while ensuring mutual accountability and results-based implementation.” — Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, PAHO Director
