Caribbean health professionals discuss ways to strengthen health system resilience, following COVID-19 impact
CASTRIES – In the wake of disruptions to healthcare delivery caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare policymakers and professionals in several Caribbean countries are implementing measures to improve health system resilience and accelerate progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Delegates from seven Caribbean countries gathered today in Saint Lucia’s capital to discuss pressing policy reforms and share insights at a three-day Caribbean Flagship Regional Knowledge Exchange.
This first knowledge exchange focused on three topical areas vital for sector modernisation, intending to improve health outcomes, patient experiences and healthcare cost management. Caribbean countries have prioritised strengthening the control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), improving the hospital sector, and the health management information systems for system-wide transformation. Caribbean countries are investing in resilient infrastructure such as hospitals and modern information and communication technology (ICT) systems and experimenting with innovative sustainable models of health sector management.
Remarking on the three-day knowledge exchange, Lilia Burunciuc, World Bank Director for Caribbean Countries, said, “Modernizing health services is one of the most significant investments a country can make – without good health, children are unable to go to school and adults are unable to work and be productive. As countries in the Caribbean are embarking on ambitious health reforms, creating a space for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and cross-fertilisation is crucial. We hope this regional event will allow countries to learn from each other and build long-lasting connections to support them as they progress with their health reforms.”
Over 70 delegates, including senior representatives from ministries of health as well as hospitals managers and several other ministries in Saint Lucia – in addition to ministries of health in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, Sint Maarten, and Dominica – will exchange their policy and operational experiences and share knowledge about challenges, reforms underway and innovations, in the remaining two days.
Hon. Minister Moses Jn Baptiste, Minister of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs in St Lucia, mentioned, “To achieve Universal Health Coverage, we must deliver measurable results, however small. In St. Lucia, we have started with our centres of excellence, and we try hard not to make Universal health an abstract phenomenon. We have also put wellness in focus, not just illness.”
Practitioners from the Republic of Korea, Colombia, Canada, Spain, Guatemala and the World Bank will share experiences with Caribbean colleagues, providing a global perspective to create a platform for technical dialogue and collaboration to support the reforms desired by these countries.
Goal 3 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals emphasizes achieving UHC and access to quality health care. In the Caribbean, barriers towards achieving these goals include health system and infrastructure challenges, skilled health professional shortages, ageing populations, rising chronic disease, and fiscal vulnerabilities.
Mrs Seung-Ro Jun, of the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, stated, “Korea is committed to sharing our unique experiences with the world but more so the Caribbean, especially in Health. We hope to work together to nurture human capacity as people are key to the country’s development, share policies and improve security”.
With support from the World Bank and the Korean World Bank Partnership Facility (KWPF), the governments of Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have embarked on ambitious health sector reform initiatives. The Caribbean Flagship Regional Knowledge Exchange, financed by the KWPF, will complement these efforts by generating new knowledge, allowing networks to be built across the region.