World Bank Supports Health Systems Strengthening within the Caribbean

The World Bank has provided more than 40 million US dollars under the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Regional Health Project, to improve health facilities and laboratory capacities, strengthen public health systems and emergency management, institutional capacity building, project management and coordination, and contingency emergency response.

Project beneficiaries include Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission. 

Small Island Developing States within the Caribbean are particularly vulnerable to threats posed by climate change – from rising sea levels, hurricanes and floods, to increased temperatures and intensity of changing weather patterns. The project provides support to these OECS states to protect themselves from the devastating impact of disasters, pandemics, and emergencies.

From December 12-14, 2022, beneficiaries of the project came together at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad for the 7th Regional Project Advisory and Mid-term Review meeting. Dr. Joy St. John, Executive Director, CARPHA, shared some of the project gains, noting that “we have executed several contracts, serviced and purchased equipment, engaged several consultants, ramped up our communications outreach and contributed, not just to the pandemic response, but most critically towards improving the resilience of public health services across the Region.” 

Dr. Lisa Indar, Director, Surveillance, Disease, Prevention and Control, CARPHA, expressed the Agency’s “appreciation to all members for their strong commitment to this project, despite the challenges encountered and the increased workload involved in our robust response to the ongoing pandemic and regional public health”.  

Mr. Timothy Johnston, Human Development Programme Leader, World Bank, acknowledged that “under the OECS Regional Health Project, all six entities are making valuable investments and strengthening their health systems, particularly in the areas of surveillance, laboratories, workforce development and emergency management”.

Mrs. Faith Harry – Jn Baptiste, Project Manager, OECS Commission, indicated that “under the OECS Regional Health Project,  significant strides have been made towards the development of  an  inventory and Geographic Information System(GIS) mapping of emergency  and critical care facilities and services, harmonized registration of health professionals; and has advanced efforts towards the creation of a multisectoral, multi-hazard emergency preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery  mechanism within the Region”.

Mr. Sylvester Henderson, Programme Coordinator, Ministry of Health, Wellness and New Health Investments, Dominica, posited that “standing together, we share intellectual resources and expertise, we share past experiences, and a resolve to be resilient, we share a common desire to thrive under difficult circumstances. The OECS Regional Health Project presents us with an opportunity to showcase this ability to come together and be strong as a unit”.

For the duration of the meeting, participants were able to benefit from project updates, knowledge exchange and training in Financial Management Safeguards, led by Ms. Behnaz Bonyadian, Co -Task Team Leader and the members of the World Bank Team. 

Representatives from the World Bank, the OECS Commission and participating countries were also given an opportunity to tour the CARPHA Medical Microbiology Laboratory to view the equipment that was procured under the project.