Health Systems Strengthening for CARICOM Member States to respond to the COVID 19 pandemic and other emerging and re-emerging threats

The CARICOM-Spain Scientific and Technical Cooperation seeks to improve data-informed decision making and promote greater learning. Through the project, the capacity of CARICOM Countries, including Trinidad and Tobago will be enhanced to generate and use data and evidence for more effective policy, programs and monitoring of global and regional targets and commitments. CARPHA serves as the regional hub for health information and utilizes a participatory approach through coordinated action to improve the availability of high-quality data in countries and regionally to collect, manage, analyse, disseminate, and use health information.

Functional Monitoring and Evaluation Systems improves the measures the results of the heath system and demonstrates accountability for public health outcomes. This also facilitates increased availability of data and strategic information through strategic information products including fact sheets, M&E briefs, best practices, and lessons learned to promote knowledge sharing and greater learning.

Furthermore, it will allow the Caribbean region to more accurately measure and monitor progress towards progress towards the achievements of the Caribbean Cooperation in Health Phase IV (CCH-IV), Sustainable Development Goal 3, COVID-19 Response, and other SDG health-related targets. Through the initiatives outlined, CARICOM countries will be supported to effectively use the information generated to inform country response to public health priorities. CARICOM Countries will have improved capacities to better prepare and respond to biological threats of public health concern because of the provision of laboratory and medical supplies and equipment including PPE, COVID-19 testing kits and supporting reagents, and PCR automatic sample extraction equipment.

PROJECT INFORMATION

Status

Ongoing

Start Date

October 13, 2021

End Date

August 12, 2024

Duration

Thirty (30) Months

Budget

$ 1,189,247

Source(s) of Funding

$ 1,000,000.00 from the Government of Spain, through the Joint Fund for CARICOM-Spain Scientific and Technical Cooperation. The balance of $189,247.00 will be provided by CARPHA as Counterpart Contributions.

Beneficiary CARPHA Member State(s)

Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Belize, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad, and Tobago

Focal Point(s)

Ms. Patricia Smith-Cummings
Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, Surveillance, Disease, Prevention and Control (SDPC)
Email: smithcpa@carpha.org

  • PROGRAMMATIC AREAS
  • OVERALL OBJECTIVE/IMPACT
  • SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE(S)
  • Health Information, Communicable Diseases and Emergency Response (HCE)
  • Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
  • Laboratory Services and Networks

The overall objective of the Project is to contribute to efforts to improve health outcomes across the CARICOM region.

The specific purpose of the Project is to strengthen health systems across CARICOM Member States and CARPHA to prevent, control and respond to the COVID 19 pandemic and other emerging and re emerging threats and to generate evidence and information to inform decision making on the management of public health priorities, emergencies and disease control programmes and policies.

EXPECTED RESULTS / OUTPUTS

WEBINARS

Sharing of Expertise, Experiences and Lessons Learned to Improve Health Outcomes between Member States of CARICOM and SICA:

Webinar 1: Joint experiences/ negotiations for Pooled Procurement Mechanism for Medicines and Medical Supplies

Webinar 2: Emergency Management in the Caribbean

Webinar 3: Good Practices and Lessons Learned the COVID-19 to mitigate future pandemics

Dr. Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis – Launch of the Joint-Sub Regional Collaboration in Health

MEDIA