00:00Representatives from 129 organizations are now in Trinidad for Carver's second joint regional health security and regional coordinating mechanism for
00:12health security meeting.
00:13As health stakeholders are on high alert amid the resurgence of Ebola and Hantavirus in other jurisdictions.
00:22Recent years have shown us that health emergencies affect more than health.
00:28They impact economies, education, tourism, trade and national security.
00:36The Caribbean continues to face multiple pressures.
00:40Globally, concerns such as Ebola outbreaks, emerging infectious diseases and health impacts of climate change highlight the importance of preparedness
00:53and resilience.
00:54Stakeholders have convened with a view to building and strengthening an integrated preparedness and response mechanism.
01:0348 hours after the recent Hantavirus outbreak on a cruise liner impacted a few of our citizens, we were able
01:12to reference the Caribbean's cruise vessel surveillance system as an example of the work that can be done to improve
01:19readiness and preparedness for this type of an outbreak.
01:21Similarly, 72 hours after the activation of the most recent Ebola outbreak affecting Central and East Africa, the tourism health
01:33information system was highlighted as a potential detection mechanism for monitoring travel health in these evolving times.
01:40These are concrete examples of CARFA's innovation, resourcefulness and impact, but most importantly of their partnership.
01:50But Ebola and Hantavirus are just two of the health challenges facing regional communities.
01:56During 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, the Caribbean experienced over 20 outbreaks in 11 countries, including dengue, chikungunya,
02:07malaria, lepto, noro, salmonella, measles, scarlet fever, influenza, hand and foot and mouth diseases occurring in local and community settings.
02:17And in tourism settings, three neuro outbreaks occurring in hotels and accommodations and 50 cruise ship alerts occurring in the
02:27cruise ship setting.
02:28Additionally, priority diseases including malaria and TB and lepto were reported across the region.
02:35Health Minister Dr. Lacram Bodo is giving TNT's commitment to supporting the move to a full One Health approach.
02:44Historically, we have often measured success by how effectively we respond to crises.
02:50Today, we must also increase, we must also measure success by how effectively we prevent them.
02:57This requires investment in surveillance systems that identify unusual patterns early.
03:03It requires modern laboratory networks capable of rapidly detecting emerging pathogens.
03:09It requires a trained and resilient workforce.
03:12It also requires stronger data systems and information sharing mechanisms.
03:18And increasingly, it underscores the need for embracing a One Health approach.
03:23In this regard, the pandemic fund continues to provide financial support to small developing states.
03:30We currently have six projects in the Caribbean.
03:33Three country level projects in Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.
03:39One multi-country project focused on the Eastern Caribbean.
03:43And two regional entity projects.
03:46One led by CARFA and the other led by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, IICA.
03:56Together, these investments have helped mobilise over US$590 million for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response in the Caribbean region.
04:05Renasa Cutting, TV6 News.
04:08Renasa Cutting, TV6 News.
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