“ONE HEALTH” ACTION PLAN TO GUIDE CARPHA AS WORLD CELEBRATES HEALTH DAY

By: Marvin Cato | HGP Nightly News|

PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD — In observance of World Health Day 2026, themed “Together for Health, Stand with Science,” the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has issued an urgent call for Member States to dismantle “siloed” healthcare models. The agency is advocating for the full implementation of a “One Health” Action Plan, a multisectoral strategy designed to bridge the gap between human, animal, and environmental health surveillance.

The call comes as the Caribbean faces a dual threat of rising foodborne illnesses and an “epidemic” of zoonotic diseases—those jumping from animals to humans—exacerbated by climate change and environmental degradation.

The Interconnected Crisis: Food, Animals, and Climate

The statistics provided by CARPHA and the World Health Organization (WHO) paint a sobering picture of the region’s vulnerability:

• Foodborne Burden: Globally, 600 million people fall ill from contaminated food annually. In the Caribbean, the risk is acute; 1 in 49 people contract a foodborne disease (FBD) every year, a figure that spikes to 1 in 11 during mass gatherings like Carnival or cricket tournaments.
• The Zoonotic Surge: Approximately 75% of emerging infectious diseases are now zoonotic. Changes in land use and a warming climate are bringing humans into closer contact with animal pathogens.
• Vulnerable Youth: Nearly 43% of Caribbean FBD cases occur in children aged 1–4, highlighting a critical need for “farm-to-table” safety standards.

The “One Health” Solution: RIEWSS and DHIS2

CARPHA’s Executive Director emphasized that safeguarding the region requires a technological and administrative overhaul. At the heart of this is the Regional Integrated Early Warning and Surveillance System (RIEWSS).

• Digital Integration: CARPHA is pushing for the use of digital platforms like DHIS2 to ensure real-time data sharing between hospitals, veterinary clinics, and environmental agencies.
• Laboratory Expansion: The plan calls for the deployment of rapid diagnostic tools across all Member States to ensure that an outbreak in a remote village is identified before it reaches a capital city.
• Multisectoral Governance: CARPHA has established the One Health Multisectoral Steering Committee (OHMSC) to coordinate between agencies like the FAO, PAHO, and the Caribbean Agriculture Health Food and Safety Agency (CAHFSA).

Strategic Actions for Member States

To build a resilient Caribbean health shield, CARPHA is advocating for six strategic pillars:

1. Integrated Systems: Merging human, animal, and environmental health data.
2. Real-Time Interoperability: Breaking down barriers to data sharing between islands.
3. Lab Capacity: Scaling up diagnostic capabilities to identify risks within hours, not weeks.
4. Formal Coordination: Moving beyond informal “phone call” diplomacy to established governance structures.
5. Workforce Training: Investing in a new generation of “One Health” practitioners.
6. Evidence-Based Policy: Ensuring that political decisions are guided by the latest regional science.

Standing with Science

As the Caribbean navigates the complexities of a post-pandemic world, CARPHA’s message is clear: the health of a Guyanese farmer is inextricably linked to the health of their livestock and the quality of their soil. By “Standing with Science,” the region can transform from a reactive zone into a proactive, collaborative fortress. The “One Health” approach is no longer just a recommendation; it is the survival manual for the 21st-century Caribbean.