Bridgetown, Barbados, July 2026 – The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM), a Covista institution, have signed a Framework Agreement establishing a strategic partnership to advance the One Health agenda in the Eastern Caribbean through collaboration in education, research, disease surveillance and capacity building.
The agreement establishes a foundation for long-term cooperation between the two institutions, bringing together expertise in public health, veterinary medicine, research, education and capacity building to address shared health challenges affecting people, animals and the environment.
One Health recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health and promotes coordinated action to prevent and respond to emerging health threats. Through this partnership, PAHO/WHO and RUSVM will work together to strengthen regional capacity to prevent, detect and respond to zoonotic diseases, advance disease elimination efforts, and support sustainable health systems.
The partnership is guided by four shared objectives:
- Enhancing educational programmes through One Health integration.
- Fostering interdisciplinary research and innovation.
- Addressing regional and global health challenges.
- Strengthening public health capacities across the Eastern Caribbean.
Under the agreement, RUSVM will provide technical expertise to support countries in preparing certification dossiers for the interruption of transmission of schistosomiasis and dog bite-mediated human rabies in historically endemic countries, strengthen surveillance of zoonotic and emerging diseases, and contribute expert knowledge to PAHO/WHO technical meetings on One Health and disease elimination.
PAHO/WHO will provide technical guidance for disease elimination initiatives, facilitate engagement with Member States and regional partners, and promote opportunities for collaboration across its One Health network.
Together, the two institutions will collaborate to advance the One Health agenda in St. Kitts and Nevis and across the Eastern Caribbean by strengthening regional partnerships, promoting research and innovation, delivering capacity-building and training programmes, increasing awareness of One Health initiatives, and jointly hosting workshops, seminars and conferences.
The collaboration will also support regional efforts to address complex health challenges such as antimicrobial resistance, climate change and emerging infectious diseases.
"This partnership shows the value of working across sectors, including with private institutions like Ross University, to advance our shared commitment to One Health approach across the Eastern Caribbean. RUSVM is rooted in St Kitts and Nevis, and that matters. As an institution based on a small island itself, RUSVM understands firsthand the realities our communities live with, where people, animals and environment share the same limited space. By bringing together this local insight with their expertise in public health, veterinary medicine and research, we are strengthening countries' capacity to prevent and respond to zoonotic diseases, address antimicrobial resistance and support healthier, more resilient communities," said Dr. Prabhjot Singh, Interim PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries
“Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine is proud to partner with PAHO/WHO in advancing the One Health agenda across the Eastern Caribbean,” said Dr. Rob Gilbert, Dean of RUSVM. “This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to protecting the health of animals, people and the environment through integrated education, research and capacity building. With our roots in St. Kitts and Nevis, RUSVM is uniquely positioned to contribute local insight and technical expertise to regional efforts to strengthen health security, address emerging threats such as zoonotic disease and antimicrobial resistance, and build more resilient communities.”
Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM), a Covista (NYSE: CVSA) institution, prepares students to become veterinary leaders and advance human, animal and ecosystem health as a member of the One Health Initiative. RUSVM offers research programs focused on emerging infectious and zoonotic diseases, conservation medicine and ecosystem health. RUSVM has approximately 8,000 alumni and offers postgraduate master’s, PhD, and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) programs accredited by the St. Christopher & Nevis Accreditation Board and the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education. RUSVM is located on St. Kitts and features the Ross University Veterinary Clinic, which is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association. Visit veterinary.rossu.edu for more information, and follow on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is the specialized international health agency for the Americas and Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization. With more than 120 years of experience, PAHO works with its Member States to improve health, reduce inequalities and strengthen health systems throughout the Region.
