Dr. Jarbas Barbosa Da Silva, Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO-WHO)
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, 30 April 2025 (PAHO/WHO) - On April 25, 2025, the Pan American Health Organization/ World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago celebrated a significant achievement with the virtual signing of the Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) 2025-2030. This strategic document outlines the collaborative efforts and commitments to enhance health outcomes and strengthen health systems in Trinidad and Tobago over the next five years.
The CCS was officially signed by the Honourable Terrence Deyalsingh, Minister of Health, Trinidad and Tobago, and Dr. Jarbas Barbosa da Silva Jr., PAHO Director. Attending virtually were key officials, including:
- Mr. Asif Ali, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Trinidad and Tobago
- Mr. Stephen Boodhram, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Trinidad and Tobago
- Dr. Harry Smith, Chief Medical Officer (Ag.), Trinidad and Tobago
- Dr. Gabriel Vivas Francesconi, PAHO/WHO Representative for Trinidad and Tobago and the Dutch Caribbean Islands
- Ms. Piedad Huerta, Head of Office of Country and Subregional Coordination (CSC), Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
- Ms. Souad Lakhdim, Country Program Advisor, PAHO/WHO, HQ, Country and Sub-Regional Coordination (CSC)
Senior representatives from PAHO Headquarters in Washington DC and the PAHO/WHO Trinidad and Tobago Country Office were also present.
During the ceremony, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa da Silva Jr. commended Minister Deyalsingh for his leadership and dedication to improving public health in Trinidad and Tobago. He acknowledged the Minister's pivotal role in steering the country's health policies and initiatives in areas such as mental health and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Dr. Barbosa emphasized the importance of this achievement, noting that the CCS represents a collaborative effort to address critical health challenges of the population.
Minister Deyalsingh conveyed his heartfelt gratitude to PAHO/WHO for their unwavering support throughout his decade-long tenure as Minister of Health. He highlighted the invaluable partnership between PAHO/WHO and the Ministry of Health, which has been instrumental in implementing effective health programs and strategies. The Minister also underscored the significance of strategic priority 5 within the CCS, which focuses on digital transformation. He elaborated on the application of digital technology to improve health services.
Dr. Gabriel Vivas Francesconi, PAHO Representative for Trinidad and Tobago and the Dutch Caribbean Islands, expressed his profound pride in witnessing the signing of these pivotal documents. He highlighted the collaborative approach taken with the dedicated team from the Ministry of Health in developing the CCS and noted that this partnership is a testament to the shared vision and collective efforts aimed at addressing health challenges and advancing public health initiatives for the population of Trinidad and Tobago.
The holistic process for the development of the CCS included National Stakeholder Consultations, which were held on November 5-6, 2024. These successful consultations brought together over 80 participants from various sectors, including senior technical representatives from the Ministry of Health, key government departments, United Nations and development agencies, and non-governmental organizations.
The CCS will guide interventions in areas such as Resilient Health Systems within the context of Universal Health, Prevention and Control of NCDs, Control and Elimination of Communicable Diseases, Impact of Climate Change on Health, and the Digital Transformation of the Health Sector. This blueprint aims to address pressing health challenges and support sustainable health development across the country.
Together, PAHO and Trinidad and Tobago are dedicated to improving health outcomes and ensuring a robust and responsive health strategy that meets the needs of the twin island nation.
