The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission held the Tenth Meeting of the OECS Council of Ministers: Health (COM: Health) on October 9-10, 2024 in the Commonwealth of Dominica under the theme “Beyond Borders: Breaking Barriers and Empowering Change in Healthcare Access and Delivery.” The COM: Health was attended by Ministers of Health in the region and adopted a hybrid format, allowing for both in-person and virtual participation. The Honourable Cassanni Laville, Minister for Health, Wellness and Social Services in the Commonwealth of Dominica, served as the incoming Chairperson. 

The COM: Health was preceded by the 37th OECS-PPS Policy Board Meeting on October 8, 2024, and both meetings were commemorated with the convening of a joint opening ceremony on October 7th, 2023. ​ The feature address was delivered by the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica, the Hon. Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit. The Prime Minister highlighted the challenges faced with Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases in our region and urged Health Ministers to employ a collaborative regional approach in addressing these challenges with a particular focus on the training of nurses, continuing education and awareness. He stated,

“The idea of each OECS country training nurses is not sustainable. One, we do not have access to enough lecturers, and secondly, you will never have the resources to have a nursing school in every island to respond to the challenges that health care has posed to us in recent years.” 

Delivering remarks on behalf of the Director General of the OECS, H.E Dr Didacus Jules, Mrs Sisera Simon, Head of the Human and Social Division stated, 

“We gather here to reflect on how we can break down barriers in our Health Care Systems and at the same time empower lasting change ensuring that no one is left behind. Change is constant and in the health sector, its constant is too little of a word to describe it because we continue to confront several issues and challenges. The rising prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases along with antibiotic resistance and infectious diseases are among the new and long-lasting problems we face. Innovative thinking is essential for a successful response, particularly in the context of regional integration which is a fundamental strategic objective for the OECS Commission.”

The 10th COM: Health was dedicated to promoting equitable access to healthcare through a primary health care approach centred on addressing the underlying determinants of health ensuring services are affordable and of good quality without discrimination. The meeting emphasized that moving forward, consideration be given to: 

1. Preventative Primary Healthcare including a focus on Mental Health and CNCDs.
2. Harmonization of Investments across the Region.
3. Building Human Resources for Health 
4. Leveraging Digital Technologies and promoting Health Information Systems
5. Expanding Pharmaceutical Procurement Services

Addressing delegates, Incoming Chair, Hon. Minister Cassani Laville remarked, 

“The theme for this year’s meeting meeting calls for a level of radicalism in our approach where we no longer sit in silos to solve problems. It pushes us to keep our people at the fore, ensuring that the decisions we make translate into better health outcomes which translates into growth and development opportunities for our countries.” ​ ​ 

Key Highlights 

Key highlights from the COM: Health include the decision of Ministers to support the work being undertaken in advancing cancer control in the Eastern Caribbean and to continue the dialogue on access to healthcare for the youth of the region with a focus on mental health, sexual and reproductive health and linkages to crime. 

There was an agreement to explore avenues for strengthening access to healthcare for men, addressing issues of governance, stewardship, and an increased focus on the economics of the health sector. 

Recognizing the importance of investing in strengthening pharmaceutical systems in the region, the meeting agreed to continue the discussions to promote integrated and holistic access to medicines. 

Member States agreed on the importance of peer engagement and knowledge sharing as a region and shared highlights around centres of excellence in health care to improve healthcare access and delivery as a region in areas such as Paediatrics (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) and Ophthalmology (Commonwealth of Dominica). Additionally, a wide range of sub-speciality services were referenced including Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery, ​ in Saint Kitts and Nevis. These services serve as evidence of successes in the OECS Region to optimize Health Solidarity.