Guyana to host CARPHA Conference

Mar 28, 2017 News

-to examine climate change, human health
Health and environmental specialists from the region and further afield will examine a raft of issues in the two fields during the 62nd annual Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) conference scheduled for Guyana next month.
CARPHA’s Executive Director, Dr. C. James Hospedales said this week that increases in vector-borne diseases, rising sea level, prolonged periods of drought which pose a significant threat to human health and more frequent and intense storms and hurricanes in the Region are among some crucial agenda issues slated for the Georgetown conference.
The key regional annual research event is slated for the Guyana Marriott Hotel, Kingston for April 27 –April 29 under the theme ‘Climate Change, the Environment and Human Health’ where an expert panel on climate and health specialists are also expected to present their findings on the implications of rising sea levels, the impact of climate change on food security and health, as well as the significance of tobacco use among Caribbean youths.
They are also expected to unveil their thinking on other issues such as transgendered health, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and the much-feared Zika virus.
The CRPHA conference is expected to “deliver a roadmap to chart the regional response to climate and health,” Dr. Hospedales said.
He said the conference is the major regional forum where health researchers share and promote ways in which evidence can be used to improve people’s health and prevent death and suffering.
The conference “also provides a training ground for young researchers,” Dr. Hospedales explained adding that environmental health professionals, researchers, senior health officers and clinicians will be among regional and international delegates to attend the Health Research Conference.
The Conference will host a series of events including a Grant Writing and Implementation; Science Workshop; a Stakeholder Policy Dialogue; Training in Occupational Safety and Health (OSH); Training in Indoor Air Quality, and a seminar on Health Diplomacy for Caribbean Chief Medical Officers (CMOs).
Guyana’s CMO, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, said the local Ministry of Public Health “is fully supportive of the event” as it will zero in on diseases that are of serious concern to the country.
Dr. Persaud said Guyana’s Tourism and Health project, executed by CARPHA will also be launched during the week of the Conference. According to Dr. Persaud the Agency will work with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) to include hoteliers, and tour operators into a system of surveillance, which will include training in food safety, and regulatory mechanisms.
Dr. Persaud wants locals in the health and environmental sectors to register and take full advantage of conference sessions.
The Caribbean region which comprises small island nations is one of the most vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change. In recent years, the vulnerability of the Region has been exposed by the vagaries of climate change and diseases spread by the vectors, especially the mosquito.

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