Multisectoral group tackles health system resilience
KINGSTON, Jamaica. Thursday, October 24, 2024: Key stakeholders from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, and the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, alongside international partners today convene for a two-day strategic mapping workshop in a bid to enhance Jamaica’s capacity to manage public health emergencies of international concern (PHEICs) through a One Health approach.
This comes as the island is prioritising a strong and resilient public health system and looks to strengthen coordination between the human, animal, plant and environmental health sectors. The workshop embraces a multisectoral approach toward developing a One Health Policy in Jamaica and includes the input of international development partners such as the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), veterinary experts and civil society organisations.
Supported by the USAID-funded Local Health System Sustainability (LHSS) Project, led by Abt Global, the workshop will explore how a collaborative approach can address emerging health threats and enhance the country’s health resilience.
One Health and Its Importance
One Health is a collaborative approach that recognises the close connection between the health of humans, animals, plants and the environment. By working together across these sectors, countries can better prevent and respond to health threats, ensuring healthier communities and safer environments.
At the end of the workshop, participants will have collaboratively identified the priorities, goals, and governance structures needed to implement One Health in Jamaica. This initiative signifies an important milestone for the country’s efforts to address public health emergencies and bolster its global health security capacity.
Over the next year, the USAID-funded LHSS project will support Jamaica in its efforts to adopt and institutionalise the One Health approach. This will lay the foundation for critical, long-term investments and technical support to enhance public health security and resilience, thereby bolstering the island’s capacity to prepare for future health emergencies.