One Health, One Caribbean, One Love ­ Caribbean Leadership, Regional Cooperation, Local Action

Inter-sectoral collaboration is extremely limited, both at policy and technical levels, across the Caribbean region. However, many of the priority health problems currently facing the region, like climate change, food security, ocean health, and emerging diseases arise from the interactions between people, animals and our shared environment. If these health issues are to be addressed effectively and efficiently, an intersectoral or One Health approach is clearly required. The European Union funded project "One Health, One Caribbean, One Love" set out to promote and entrench a "One Health" approach to priority health issues affecting humans, animals and the environment within the Caribbean region. The project, which spanned from March 2014 and ended in June 2017, successfully built the capacity of the national veterinary, public health and environmental health services, through the development of a cadre of One Health Leaders, the creation of Caribbean regional and national One Health Networks, and the development of a One Health strategic framework. The One Health Leadership Series developed a core group of One Health Leaders from 12 Caribbean countries. The leaders attended a series of 5 themed One Health Leadership workshops, and each country team developed and conducted a One Health project addressing a national priority health issue at the interface between human, animal and environmental health ­ a learning by doing approach. The One Health leadership series has enabled the leaders to more effectively design and manage One Health policies, programs and projects in order to develop more holistic scientific solutions to emerging health problems.

The role of the aedes aegypti surveillance and control in relation to the epidemiology, prevention and control of Dengue Fever in Jamaica

The control of dengue fever depends on the level of Aedes aegypti infestation and thus relies heavily on the measures for controlling the vector. Quite recently, despite the implementation of mosquito control measures, the Aedes aegypti population has still escalated. The vector apparently has adapted to or resisted most of the control methods. The failure of Aedes aegypti control programmes has been blamed on the vector's biological features fostering the development of species resistance to chemical control or environmental factors favouring the increase of the Aedes aegypti' population at a faster rate than the control methods can reduce them. Nevertheless, many Aedes aegypti control programmes are improperly planned and implemented or the control measures are often used as reactive methods of controlling dengue fever outbreaks, rather than as continuous proactive strategies preventing disease. Aedes aegypti breeding is basically a problem of domestic sanitation and therefore communities have an essential role to play in source reduction activities. The activities of some governmental departments, non governmental organizations and the private sector may encourage the increase of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes or play a positive role in vector control. Consequently, intra sectoral and intersectoral in vector control are very important. This study examined the control measures applied by the Jamaican Ministry of Health, Vector Control Department and the community for Aedes aegypti surveillance and control, and determined the effectiveness of and obstacles to the mosquito control activities presently being applied. The aim of the study was achieved through the execution of an entomology survey, an environmental survey, an insecticide susceptibility test, key informant interviews with vector control staff from the Ministry of Health and the administration of a Knowledge-Attitude-pracitce survey. The research results showed that the environmental conditions in the study area were conducive to Aedes aegypti breeding and proliferation, especially during the months of July to October. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were present throughout the study area, with a higher density of Aedes aegypti larvae in Tavern and Gordon Town. Aedes aegypti larvae collected from Mona and Hermitage were highly susceptible to a 1 percent abate larvicide.(Au)

The impact of intersectoral collaboration and users of the veterinary services on veterinary public health programmes in Jamaica, 1993-1994

Animal health has a direct bearing on human health and wellbeing not only in the production and protection of safe food but also in the prevention, control and eradication of zoonoses, environmental hazard protection, disaster preparedness, health education, comparative medical research, mental and emotional health and health administration. As a result, it has a fundamental role in primary health care and attainment of the goal "health for all by the year 2000 (HFA/2000) and if Veterinary Public Health (VPH) is to achieve its human health goals PHC, principles must permeate all levels of VPH programmes. The aim of this study is to determine knowledge, attitude and practice of senior managers, within the Ministry of Health and Agriculture in Jamaica in relation to intersectoral collaboration when planning, organizing and managing VPH programmes and to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice of users of the veterinary services in relation to the utilization of veterinary skills for public health purposes. Senior managers and users of the veterinary services at the Ministry of Agriculture were compared to those at the Ministry of Health. Data analysis was done by computers and the Epi Info package was used. There was statistically no differences in attitude and knowledge between senior managers of the two ministries, but practice was showing some differences. There were statistically significant differences among the different categories of users at the Ministry of Health in relation to knowledge of the veterinary service (Kruskal - Wallis H=80.544 d.f.= 3 p<.01), and attitude (Kruskal - Wallis H 80.544 d.f. = 3p< .01). Statistically significant differences in attitude between users of the two ministries were revealed (Kruskal-Wallis H = 23.456 d.f. = 1 p < .01). the study revealed that a low level of significance given to intersectoral collaboration and recommendations were made as to how the linkages between the two sectors could be established. The study also revealed a low level of knowledge of the VPH service among users of the veterinary services within the two ministries, recommendations are also made on how this situation could be improved (AU)

Cooperation in health in the Commonwealth Caribbean

Reviews past and present efforts regarding cooperation in health and proposes that the existence of a strong institutional framework is essential for the development and success of any cooperative initiatives. The existing institutional frameworks are described, viz., the University of the West Indies and the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO). The priority areas of health care are outlined including environmental protection, human resources development, food and nutrition and maternal and child health. The future of health co-operation, particularly in public health, is the final area of discussions, which includes a discourse on the Commonwealth Caribbean Medical Research Council. (AU)

Multisectoral approach to the delivery of health care in Jamaica

Examines the need for better integration of the public health sector with other sectors in the society. Critically examines the health status of the Jamaican population, the socio-economic environment and the development of health policy between 1950 and 1983. Five areas were researched for intersectoral co-ordination: Basic Services Programme for children jointly sponsored by UNICEF, PAHO and Government of Jamaica; the Pesticides Advisory Committee concerned with utilization of chemical and pesticides as it relates to plant protection, food storage and public health; the Nutrition Advisory Council which co-ordinates the development of food and nutrition policies; methods used for the efficient delivery of water; and methods used in the process of collaboration between the Ministries of Health and Education as attempts are made to include health concepts in school curricula and programmes. Concludes that almost all the projects and activities investigated have not performed as expected. Recommendations include the following: 1) clear goals and task specifications before the execution of any project or programme; 2) a common understanding and expectation of desired goals and objectives; 3) paying greater attention to the incorporation of potential beneficiaries into the planning and design stages of programmes. (Au)