Consultations held on implementation of PAHO’s Pandemic Fund Project

Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 17, 2025 (JNF Hospital Communications) -- Following the successful launch of the Pan-American Health Organisation’s (PAHO) Pandemic Fund Project in St. Lucia last month, consultations on its implementation in St. Kitts and Nevis were held on Wednesday, July 16, at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.
 
The joint intersectoral meeting was chaired by Dr Hazel Laws, the Chief Medical Officer, who underscored that the Fund is a multi-country initiative and that St. Kitts and Nevis is proud to be one of the six beneficiary countries, the other four being Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
 
“The primary objective of this project is to strengthen prevention, preparedness, and response to emerging health threats and future pandemics in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), using the ‘One Health’ approach,” observed Dr Laws.
 
Three key partners, the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO), the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and the World Bank are implementing the US$24.4 million Pandemic Fund grant. Representatives from both PAHO and FAO were present.
 
Highlighting the significance of the meeting, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Mr Curtis Martin said that it was with great purpose and anticipation that they had gathered for the Joint Inter-Sectoral Meeting on the Pandemic Fund and the One Health Approach Implementation for the twin-island Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
   
He added: “Our guiding theme ‘One Health, One Sound!’ captures the spirit of unity and strategic alignment that is essential to achieving our shared goals in human, animal and environmental Health.”
 
The implementation of the multi-country pandemic fund project was timely according the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources, Mr Miguel Flemming, who said that it represented not only a deepening collaboration between PAHO, FAO, and the national stakeholders, but also as a critical step forward to building the country’s collective resilience to future pandemic and public health threats.
 
PAHO was represented by Dr Prabhjot Singh, PAHO/WHO Eastern Caribbean Countries Advisor for Health Surveillance and Disease Prevention Control, and Ms Katrina Smith, PAHO Country Programme Specialist for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and St. Kitts and Nevis.
 
“The presentation outlines a comprehensive strategy for strengthening zoonotic disease prevention and control using a One Health approach,” said Dr Singh. “It emphasises the importance of prioritising zoonotic diseases to focus limited resources, foster collaboration between human and animal health sectors, and address unique vulnerabilities in island ecosystems.”
 
The approach also aims at integrating multi-sectorial surveillance systems that monitor priority pathogens at the human-animal interface, supported by laboratory capacity building through tiered diagnostics, regional networking, and quality management.
 
“Additionally, the plan highlights the need for developing a skilled, gender-equitable workforce across sectors through targeted training, mentoring, and cross-sector collaboration, ultimately aiming for rapid detection, coordinated response, and sustainable control of zoonotic threats,” said the PAHO official.
 
Representing the Food and Agriculture Organisation were Barbados-based Veterinary Epidemiologist, Dr Gisella Dias, and Argentina-based Laboratory Specialist, Dr Ana Maria Nicola.
 
According to Dr Gisella Dias, six Eastern Caribbean countries, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines were in 2024 awarded support through the multi-country proposal titled ‘Strengthening Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Emerging Health Threats in the Eastern Caribbean’.
 
“In St. Kitts and Nevis, activities focus on reinforcing collaboration between the Ministries of Health and Agriculture, including formalising the national One Health committee, and the technical working groups,’ pointed out Dr Dias.
 
She emphasised that additional efforts include strengthening laboratory capacity, supporting integrated surveillance systems, conducting national assessments of priority zoonotic and veterinary diseases, and reviewing the existing One Health legislation.
 
Present at the meeting was a strong presence of the local One Health Committee members from St. Kitts and Nevis, and according to Dr Laws, their continued involvement is vital, and her recommendation and that of the Ministry is that the committee takes an active stewardship role throughout the implementation process.  
 
These included from the Ministry of Health in the Nevis Island Administration, Acting Permanent Secretary Ms Latoya Jeffers, and Dr Judy Nisbett; Ag Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Kofi Sylvester; Senior Veterinary Officer Nevis, Dr Ambrose James; Ag Director of Agriculture Ms Yushaner Jeffers; Director of Environment Mr Derionne Edmeade; Mr Samson Mukaratirwa of Ross University, and other senior officials of the Ministry of Health.

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