Virtual Campus for Public Health: An overview of the Caribbean Node 2017-2023

This publication provides a description of the Caribbean Node of the Virtual Campus for Public Health (CN-VCPH), how it was developed, and its current management. It traces the progress of the Node from its inception in 2017 to 30 November 2023, and describes the importance of having a Caribbean Node. The publication provides information on the usage of the Virtual Campus for Public Health in the Caribbean, the courses offered on the VCPH, and the processes for course development. Finally, it includes a discussion of current challenges and recommendations for the future.

Mapping of academic and training programs in the Caribbean for HRH strengthening, and the response to COVID-19 and future pandemics

This document provides a mapping of academic and training programmes available in the Caribbean that address human resources for health (HRH) challenges in the Region and that support, directly or indirectly, the response to COVID-19 and future pandemics. The document responds to policy action 2, training and communication to strengthen HRH, of the policy brief Strengthening Human Resources for Health (HRH) to respond to COVID-19 and other emerging pandemics in the Caribbean. The document includes information on relevant academic and training programmes in priority areas and where these programmes can be accessed. A description of the training offer from the Pan American Health Organization's Virtual Campus for Public Health is also included. Finally, the document includes a discussion of the findings and recommendations for further action.

Strengthening human resources for health in the Caribbean: Report on HRH core indicators

The Caribbean has a serious need to improve the health information system, and in particular related to human resources for health. PAHO has been working with country focal points to report on the HRH indicators included in the WHO National Health Workforce Accounts (NHWA) platform. However, not all indicators in the NHWA are relevant to the Caribbean or can be reported due to limitations in data collection and available information. The HRH Action Task Force (now HRH Caribbean Commission), with support from PAHO identified a set of 30 core indicators and sub-indicators for the Caribbean, classified in three levels of importance and complexity. This publication systematizes the process and includes the chosen core indicators and sub-indicators.

Strengthening human resources for health in the Caribbean

The Caribbean has a serious need to improve the health information system, and in particular related to human resources for health. PAHO has been working with country focal points to report on the HRH indicators included in the WHO National Health Workforce Accounts (NHWA) platform. However, not all indicators in the NHWA (about 80) are relevant to the Caribbean or can be reported due to limitations in data collection and available information. The HRH Action Task Force (now HRH Caribbean Commission), with support from PAHO identified a set of 30 core indicators and sub-indicators for the Caribbean, classified in three levels of importance and complexity. This publication systematizes the process and includes the chosen core indicators and sub-indicators.

Promoting Wellbeing and Mental Health in Schools

This Handbook is primarily for educators, to help them learn about mental health issues and better support them in educational environments. The Handbook aims to provide training to teachers, administrators, and people involved in the education of primary school children about the implementation of mental health literacy into daily school life. Such knowledge, skills and attitudes will equip all levels of educators with key tools to support student mental health, manage difficult classroom behavior, and promote students’ wellbeing and academic success.

Annual Report 2021. Subregional Program for the Caribbean: Responding to COVID-19 and Preparing for the Future

In 2022 the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is celebrating its 120th anniversary. Operating as the independent specialized health agency of the inter-American system, PAHO provides technical cooperation to its Member States to address communicable and noncommunicable diseases and their causes, strengthen health systems, and respond to emergencies and disasters throughout the Americas. In addition, in its capacity as the World Health Organization’s Regional Office for the Americas, PAHO participates in the United Nations Country Team, collaborating with other United Nations agencies, funds, and programs to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at country level. At the subregional level, PAHO works with integration mechanisms to position health and its determinants on the political agenda. The 2021 Country Annual Reports reflect PAHO’s technical cooperation in countries and territories in implementing the Country Cooperation Strategies, responding to their needs and priorities, and operating within the framework of PAHO’s regional and global mandates and the SDGs. Under the overarching theme of Responding to COVID-19 and Preparing for the Future, they highlight PAHO’s actions on the COVID-19 pandemic and its continuing efforts in priority areas such as health emergencies, health systems and services, communicable diseases, noncommunicable diseases and mental health, health throughout the life course, and health equity. They also provide a financial summary for the biennium 2020-2021.

Annual Report 2021. Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries: Responding to COVID-19 and Preparing for the Future

In 2022 the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is celebrating its 120th anniversary. Operating as the independent specialized health agency of the inter-American system, PAHO provides technical cooperation to its Member States to address communicable and noncommunicable diseases and their causes, strengthen health systems, and respond to emergencies and disasters throughout the Americas. In addition, in its capacity as the World Health Organization’s Regional Office for the Americas, PAHO participates in the United Nations Country Team, collaborating with other United Nations agencies, funds, and programs to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at country level. At the subregional level, PAHO works with integration mechanisms to position health and its determinants on the political agenda. The 2021 Country Annual Reports reflect PAHO’s technical cooperation in countries and territories in implementing the Country Cooperation Strategies, responding to their needs and priorities, and operating within the framework of PAHO’s regional and global mandates and the SDGs. Under the overarching theme of Responding to COVID-19 and Preparing for the Future, they highlight PAHO’s actions on the COVID-19 pandemic and its continuing efforts in priority areas such as health emergencies, health systems and services, communicable diseases, noncommunicable diseases and mental health, health throughout the life course, and health equity. They also provide a financial summary for the biennium 2020-2021.

National Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) 2015-2019

Barbados has the lowest age-adjusted death rate from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Despite this, however, mortality from the main CVDs affecting the island's population and prevalence of risk factors for most NCDs is high, particularly in those aged < 60 years. The Barbados Ministry of Health (MH) is aware that NCD control cannot be the responsibility of the MH alone, and is therefore refocusing healthcare service delivery towards a model of chronic care for the population, with a strong emphasis on a coordinated response through partnerships with other sectors of the government, civil society and the private sector. The NCD response covers four main areas: (1) strengthening strategic management; (2) surveillance and research; (3) integrated disease management and patient education; and (4) risk factor reduction. The target is to reduce premature mortality from NCDs by 25% by 2025 as well as to diminish the avoidable, costly morbidity from NCDs. This Action Plan, like the Strategic Plan, stems from the priority of the Barbados MH to develop a patient-centred, equitable, efficient, accessible, high-quality health care system. The MH's NCD response is led by the NNCDC through a combined and collaborative approach to the guiding principles, encompassing "all-of-government, all-of-society". This NCD Action Plan outlines the activities required annually for the MH and its partners to take to effectively tackle NCDs in Barbados during 2015­2019. The activities have been translated from the Barbados Strategic Plan for the Prevention and Control of NonCommunicable Diseases 2015­2019, prepared by the National NCD Commission (NNCDC) and the MH. Activities are outlined in tabular format, for each strategic line of action by year. The Appendix provides a brief outline of each year's activities required by all four strategic plans. In this way the Action Plan provides the "road-map" to operationalising the Strategic Plan, including a checklist of performance indicators for measuring whether the activity has been achieved.

COVID-19 Situation Update, n. 150 (18 February 2022) 

SITUATION IN NUMBERS: Region of the Americas 144,954,080 cases; 2,599,230 deaths in 56 countries, areas, or territories; 1,663,328,537 total vaccine doses administered.

COVID-19 Situation Update, n. 149 (30 January 2022)

The situation in some countries and territories (hitherto referred to as countries) follows the trend from last week of peaks in the current Omicron wave having been reached and declining cases & hospitalizations. This week, Antigua & Barbuda, Guadeloupe, Montserrat, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have joined British Virgin Islands, French Guiana, Grenada and St. Kitts and Nevis in showing a declining 7 day moving incidence rates as well as a decline in the 7 day average of test positivity. Both these indicators are converging in these nine countries. In St. Vincent & the Grenadines, information for total RDTs tested, albeit partial, has recently been published so estimates of test positivity aren't sufficiently reliable. Nonetheless including RDTs, the test positivity in last 3 days is around 16%, comparable to other countries who consider RDT results to be confirmatory and are showing declining trend (Grenada). In Barbados and Martinique, 7 day case incidence shows a slight dip in the last 2-3 days but it is too early to say that a peak has been reached. The new Minister of Health of Barbados mentioned that the country is at "...halfway point in Omicron surge" on Jan 29, 2022. Currently the rate of increase in total tests conducted in seven days in that country is higher than than the increase in cases, which shows that health authorities are prioritizing the right areas even when one of every four people tested in the last week in Barbados had Barbados. Anguilla, on the other hand, shows a clear decline in incidence but in the absence of testing information, a decline in COVID-19 is plausible for now.

COVID-19 Situation Update, n. 148 (20 January 2022)

The situation in some countries and territories (hitherto referred to as countries) is already showing that the current Omicron wave has peaked and cases are now declining. Especially British Virgin Islands, French Guiana, Grenada and St. Kitts and Nevis show declining 7 day moving incidence rates in the last week as well as a decline in the 7 day average of test positivity. Both these indicators are converging in these four countries. Cases continue to steadily increase in other countries although the situation varies widely. Incidence in both children (<18 years) and adults in Barbados shows a near equal rate of increase in incidence, however the test positivity has somewhat steadied and hovers around 20-25% - a rate relatively lower compared to other ECC countries. On the other hand, test positivity rate in Antigua & Barbuda, and St. Lucia hover upwards of 30-40% - reflecting a near saturation of lab capacity and consequently cases may not show an increase owing to ceiling effect. Data from Dominica is patchy but test positivity rates in that country are also rising, albeit near 100% of suspected cases are tested with RDTs and as such comparison with other countries can't be done. St. Vincent and the Grenadines has adopted RDT to be confirmatory diagnosis for COVID-19, but the statistics reflect only PCR positive cases leading to false low incidence rate. When RDTs are summed up with PCR cases, the incidence rate is near 16 times high.

COVID-19 Situation Update, n. 147 (7 January 2022)

SITUATION IN NUMBERS: Region of the Americas 108,806,129 cases; 2,422,138 deaths in 56 countries, areas, or territories; 1,482,883,046 total vaccine doses administered. | Global 296,496,809 cases; 5,462,631 deaths in 236 countries, areas, or territories; 9,118,223,397 total vaccine doses administered.

COVID-19 Situation Update, n. 146 (10 December 2021)   

SITUATION IN NUMBERS: Region of the Americas 98,501,068 cases; 2,370,735 deaths in 56 countries, areas, or territories; 1,378,230,759 total vaccine doses administered. | Global 268,019,402 cases; 5,287,617 deaths in 236 countries, areas, or territories; 8,158,815,265 total vaccine doses administered.

COVID-19 Situation Update, n. 145 (26 November 2021)  

SITUATION IN NUMBERS: Region of the Americas 96,590,767 cases; 2,345,222 deaths in 56 countries, areas, or territories 1,316,713,083; total vaccine doses administered. | Global 259,502,031 cases; 5,183,003 deaths in 236 countries, areas, or territories; 7,702,859,718 total vaccine doses administered.

COVID-19 Situation Update, n. 144 (22 October 2021) 

SITUATION IN NUMBERS: Region of the Americas 92,640,712 cases; 2,272,988 deaths in 56 countries, areas, or territories; 1,166,178,399 total vaccine doses administered. | Global 242,348,657 cases; 4,927,723 deaths in 236 countries, areas, or territories; 6,655,399,359 total vaccine doses administered.

Annual Report 2020. Universal Health and the Pandemic. Resilient Health Systems. Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries

Founded in 1902 as the independent specialized health agency of the inter-American system, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has developed recognized competence and expertise, providing technical cooperation to its Member States to fight communicable and noncommunicable diseases and their causes, to strengthen health systems, and to respond to emergencies and disasters throughout the Region of the Americas. In addition, acting in its capacity as the World Health Organization’s Regional Office, PAHO participates actively in the United Nations Country Team, collaborating with other agencies, the funds and programs of the United Nations system to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at country level. This 2020 annual report reflects PAHO’s technical cooperation in the countries for the period, implementing the Multi-Country Cooperation Strategy, responding to the needs and priorities of the countries, and operating within the framework of the Organization’s regional and global mandates and the SDGs. Under the overarching theme of Universal Health and the Pandemic – Resilient Health Systems, it highlights PAHO’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as its continuing efforts in priority areas such as communicable diseases, noncommunicable diseases, mental health, health throughout the life course, and health emergencies. It also provides a financial summary for the year under review.

COVID-19 Situation Update, n. 143 (15 October 2021)

SITUATION IN NUMBERS: Region of the Americas 91,872,642 cases; 2,253,924 deaths in 56 countries, areas, or territories; 1,134,605,786 total vaccine doses administered. | Global 239,437,517 cases; 4,879,235 deaths in 236 countries, areas, or territories; 6,495,672,032 total vaccine doses administered.

COVID-19 Situation Update, n. 142 (8 October 2021) 

SITUATION IN NUMBERS: Region of the Americas 91,011,463 cases; 2,235,028 deaths in; 56 countries, areas, or territories; 1,065,966,149 total vaccine doses administered. | Global 236,599,025 cases; 4,831,486 deaths in; 236 countries, areas, or territories; 6,262,445,422 total vaccine doses administered.

COVID-19 Situation Update, n. 141 (1 October 2021) 

SITUATION IN NUMBERS: Region of the Americas 89,868,289 cases; 2,209,725 deaths in; 56 countries, areas, or territories; 1,065,623,188 total vaccine doses administered. | Global 233,503,524 cases; 4,777,503 deaths in; 236 countries, areas, or territories; 6,143,369,655 total vaccine doses administered.

COVID-19 Situation Update, n. 139 (13 September 2021)

SITUATION IN NUMBERS: Region of the Americas 86,674,208 cases; 2,149,319 deaths; 56 countries, areas, or territories; 965,234,043 total vaccine doses administered. | Global 224,679,161 cases; 4,630,612 deaths; 236 countries, areas, or territories; 5,534,977,637 total vaccine doses administered.