CARPHA assists Antigua and Barbuda to build capacity for mass gathering events.

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is currently conducting a mission in Antigua and Barbuda to help build capacity in surveillance, early warning and response systems, laboratory capacity, competence in health and food safety ahead of upcoming mass gathering events.

The mission is led by Dr. Lisa Indar, Director, Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control Division (SDPC), and comprises of several CARPHA departments.

The aim of the mission is to prepare for the launch of CARPHA’s Regional Tourism and Health Program (THP), ahead of the 4th International Conference of Small Developing Island States (SIDS), Sail week, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and other major upcoming mass gathering events.

The mission includes various activities such as high-level endorsements for the capacity building missions from the Ministers of Health and Tourism, formation of an Antigua & Barbuda THP Steering Committee for promoting healthier and safer tourism, communicable diseases surveillance workshop for health workers across the health sector, national risk assessment for mass gatherings, and desktop simulation exercise with doctors, public health nurses, Emergency Medical Services, law enforcement, National Office of Disaster Services, Red Cross, and laboratory workers to assess how participants will respond to multiple public health scenarios during mass gathering events and identify gaps/challenges of the same.

The mission also includes rapid response training for public health professionals and mass gatherings surveillance training for surveillance team, public health nurses, and other members within the health sector.

Engagement with the health, tourism, and port authority teams to discuss ways to bolster disease surveillance of cruise ships for Antigua & Barbuda is also planned.

The mission will conduct field visits to major hotels, provide training on food and environmental health safety during mass gatherings for food handlers and restaurants, including those who will be providing the catering for the SIDS Conference.

The partnership between CARPHA and Antigua and Barbuda is aimed at improving capacity as it assists in developing a sustainable future.

The mission aims to protect the local population as well as visitors and let them know that public health threats are being taken seriously.

The outcomes and activities of this mission are expected to guide preparation and response for the upcoming mass gathering events and ensure the safety of all those in attendance.