Caribbean Public Health Agency

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[1] and began operation in 2013.[2]

Caribbean Public Health Agency
Agency overview
Formed2013 (2013)[1]
Preceding agencies
  • The Caribbean Environmental Health Institute (CEHI)
  • The Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC)
  • The Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (CFNI)
  • The Caribbean Health Research Council (CHRC)
  • The Caribbean Regional Drug Testing Laboratory (CRDTL)
JurisdictionCARICOM
HeadquartersTrinidad and Tobago Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
10°40′26″N 61°31′28″W
Agency executive
  • Dr. Cheryl Joy St. John, Executive Director
Websitehttp://www.carpha.org/

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 €8M (US$8.6M), 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]

CountryJoinedPopulation[12][13]
AnguillaAnguilla - 15,753
Antigua and BarbudaAntigua and Barbuda - 93,219
ArubaAruba - 106,537
The BahamasBahamas - 407,906
BarbadosBarbados - 281,200
BelizeBelize - 400,031
BermudaBermuda - 64,185
Caribbean NetherlandsBES Islands (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, Saba) - 26,706
British Virgin IslandsBritish Virgin Islands - 31,122
Cayman IslandsCayman Islands - 68,136
CuraçaoCuraçao - 190,338
DominicaDominica - 72,412
GrenadaGrenada - 124,610
HaitiHaiti - 11,447,569
GuyanaGuyana - 804,567
JamaicaJamaica - 2,827,695
MontserratMontserrat - 4,417
Saint Kitts and NevisSaint Kitts and Nevis - 47,606
Saint LuciaSaint Lucia - 179,651
Sint MaartenSint Maarten - 44,042
Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesSaint Vincent and the Grenadines - 104,332
SurinameSuriname - 612,985
Trinidad and TobagoTrinidad and Tobago - 1,525,663
Turks and Caicos IslandsTurks and Caicos Islands - 45,114

See also

References
  1. "CARICOM to Establish Health Agency". Caribbean Journal. 15 June 2011. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  2. "Remarks by Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community, (CARICOM) At The Launch of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA)". CARICOM. 3 July 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  3. "Caribbean Public Health Agency to launch operations in 2013". Kaieteur News. 18 December 2012. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  4. "BSL-3 lab funded by Canada initiative of The Global Partnership Program Press Release". Germfree Laboratories, Inc. 20 May 2014.
  5. "Canada donates Biosafety Level 3 modular laboratory to Caribbean health authorities". Homeland Security News Wire. News Wire Publications, LLC News Wire Publications, LLC. 2 June 2014.
  6. "About The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA)". CARPHA. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  7. "Global shortage of key ingredient could affect COVID-19 testing in Caribbean". Jamaica Observer. 5 April 2020.
  8. "EU provides US$8.6M grant for C'bean to combat COVID-19". Kaieteur News. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  9. "COVID-19: Special CARICOM Heads of Government meeting scheduled". Loop News Barbados. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  10. "Caricom-staatshoofden stemmen in met gezamenlijk gezondheidsprotocol". Suriname Herald (in Dutch). Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  11. "Caribbean Public Health Agency Member States". The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  12. "World Population Prospects 2022". population.un.org. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  13. "World Population Prospects 2022: Demographic indicators by region, subregion and country, annually for 1950-2100" (XSLX). population.un.org ("Total Population, as of 1 July (thousands)"). United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
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