St. Kitts-Nevis PM holds bilateral meeting with PAHO director

St. Kitts-Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew has held talks with the Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr. Jarbas Barbisa da Silva, on the urgent need to fortify public health systems across Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

The bilateral meeting was held on the sidelines of the 61st  PAHO Directing Council meeting that began at the PAHO Headquarters here on Monday, and it also highlighted the matter of gun violence, which Prime Minister Dr. Drew deemed a serious public health crisis.

He recalled the statement of the US Surgeon General regarding violence, noting that St. Kitts-Nevis, along with other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries, would be looking at crime and violence from a public health perspective.

He said that CARICOM will be placing this issue on its agenda and seeking PAHO’s assistance in pushing this forward.

The discussions also underscored the critical challenges facing SIDS, such as climate-related health impacts, the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and the need for improved healthcare infrastructure and access to quality services.

“Health is at the core of our nation’s development. Strengthening our health systems not only ensures the well-being of our citizens but also enhances our ability to respond to crises, particularly as we face the growing threats posed by climate change,” said Prime Minister Drew.

He also highlighted the twin island Federation’s  efforts to improve healthcare delivery through digital health initiatives, the building of a smart hospital, expanded healthcare training, and partnerships aimed at improving disease prevention and control. He stressed the importance of ongoing collaboration with PAHO in addressing health inequalities and preparing the country for emerging health threats.

For his part, the PAHO director reaffirmed PAHO’s commitment to supporting the government’s health agenda, noting that PAHO would continue to provide technical assistance in areas such as pandemic preparedness, universal health coverage, and combating the growing prevalence of NCDs.

A statement issued following the meeting said that it marked a significant step in deepening the relationship between St. Kitts-Nevis and PAHO, with both parties agreeing on continued cooperation to advance the health and wellness agenda of the nation.

Meanwhile, St. Kitts-Nevis has been selected to serve on the  PAHO’s General Committee of the 61st Directing Council that plays a key role in overseeing the procedures and structure of PAHO’s annual meetings, influencing discussions that drive health policy decisions across the Americas.

St. Kitts and Nevis’ inclusion underscores its increasing presence in regional and global health governance, especially in the face of challenges such as infectious diseases, climate change, and health equity.

“This appointment to the General Committee marks a significant milestone for St. Kitts and Nevis as we continue to strengthen our role in global health governance. It is a testament to our growing capacity to influence important health policies that will benefit not only our people but also the wider Caribbean and the Americas,” said Prime Minister Drew.

“We are committed to ensuring that small island developing states like ours have a voice in shaping the future of healthcare, particularly in areas like public health preparedness and climate resilience,”  he added.

WASHINGTON, Oct 1, CMC 

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