Page 14 - HOH

Ministers of Health of the Pacific and the

Caribbean to join forces on climate change

and health

10 HORA PASA , 23 DI MEI 2019 12:52
SECCION: SALUD

Ministers of Health of the Pacific and the Caribbean to join forces on climate change and health,
regulatory frameworks, health security and NCDs
Geneva, Switzerland, May 23, 2019 (PAHO/WHO) - Ministers of Health of the Pacific and the

Caribbean met to discuss opportunities for cooperation and exchange regarding good practices
in climate change and resilient health systems, regulatory frameworks, health security and non-
communicable diseases (NCDs). The meeting took place in parallel to the 72 World Health
Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.

Small island states in the Caribbean and the Pacific face a number of common challenges. They
are especially vulnerable to climate change and extreme weather events and have limited
capacity and human resources to respond to certain health challenges

"We do not need to reinvent the wheel. We can learn from each other and save resources and
time," said the Minister of Health of Trinidad and Tobago, Terrence Deyalsingh, who co-chaired
the meeting organized by Cook Islands and CARICOM and facilitated by Regional Office of the

World Health Organization (WHO) for the Western Pacific and the Pan American Health
Organization (PAHO).

Nickolas Steele, the Minister of Health of Grenada, which hosted last year's Third Global
Conference on Health and Climate: Special Focus on Small Island Developing States, stated
that addressing the issue of climate change and health together "is about our survival". Steele
also highlighted the need for more case studies and evidence on the effects of climate change
on health.

The Minister of Health of Jamaica presented the campaign ‘Caribbean Moves’, which
encourages the population to get regular health checks, engage in physical activity and
promotes a balanced diet. This initiative could be adapted and replicated in the Pacific.