In a significant move to address pressing public health challenges, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) have formally solidified their partnership through a new Framework Agreement spanning 2026 to 2030. This strategic accord establishes a comprehensive operational blueprint designed to unify health initiatives across Caribbean nations, enhancing systemic coordination and multilateral partnerships during a period of escalating health demands and constrained resources.
The five-year pact enables both organizations to operate cohesively under the PAHO–CARICOM Joint Subregional Cooperation Strategy, prioritizing the strengthening of health infrastructures, advancing emergency readiness, and elevating health outcomes for Caribbean communities. The agreement reinforces a longstanding collaboration founded upon shared responsibility, mutual accountability, and a unified vision for regional health advancement.
During a virtual signing ceremony, PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa emphasized the operational value of the framework: “This Agreement enables PAHO and CARPHA to jointly develop regional strategies and action plans, implement health programmes aligned with strategic objectives, and deliver technical cooperation tailored to country-specific needs. It further establishes a transparent structure for subsidiary agreements, ensuring accountability and results-driven implementation.”
Echoing this sentiment, CARPHA Executive Director Dr. Lisa Indar stressed the critical importance of strategic resource utilization: “Caribbean nations rightly expect limited technical cooperation resources to be deployed with maximum efficiency and strategic impact. This can only be realized through intensified collaboration, streamlined execution, reduced duplication, and minimized operational burden on Member States.”
Historically, PAHO has provided extensive support to CARPHA across multiple domains, including the development of a Caribbean regulatory system, expansion of laboratory capabilities, climate resilience and environmental health initiatives, management of non-communicable diseases, and risk communication and emergency preparedness—particularly in foodborne disease response.
Both organizations have expressed strong commitment to translating this renewed framework into measurable improvements in public health outcomes throughout the Caribbean region in the years ahead.