PAHO/WHO, Ross University join to bolster healthcare

The Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) and Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) have signed a memorandum of understanding to support capacity strengthening, advocacy, research and services for health in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.

At a brief signing ceremony held at the PAHO/WHO offices in Navy Gardens, Christ Church, on Tuesday, Dr Amalia Del Riego Abreu, PAHO/WHO representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, said the new agreement, 18 months in the planning, should be seen as a positive step in improving access to healthcare and relevant health data across the region.

She cited a PAHO study of its response during the COVID-19 pandemic, which revealed weaknesses in healthcare systems in the Americas, necessitating their strengthening through such programmes.

Del Riego said: “There is a need to strengthen critical care in all of the countries … prior to the pandemic, the attention to critical care was not that big, but definitely that was obviously needed. The need to move from a medical centre disease-focused approach to a people-centred approach, [or] a community-based approach. That was also very obvious because we were dealing with a pandemic, a communicable disease by nature, but we could not really manage that in isolation. We all know that having non-communicable diseases made people more vulnerable [to COVID].

“Thirdly [there was] a need to strengthen capacity for evidence-based decision making for public health. You will recall during and after the pandemic, all of the misconceptions, misinformation that continues to be circulated, [proves] that health systems need to be ready to strengthen that capacity to [combat it].”

The PAHO/WHO representative highlighted the potential impact of the partnership: “The importance of this collaboration lies in its ability to leverage collective expertise, resources, and networks to address complex health challenges, strengthening health resilience and [improving] the wellbeing of communities in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean region.”

“By aligning with PAHO/WHO’s mission and goals, the collaboration underscores a shared commitment to advancing health equity, promoting sustainable development, and building a healthier future for all,” she added.

“With the expertise and dedication of PAHO and the esteemed faculty and students of Ross University, we are poised to embark on a journey of transformative impact.”

Dr Heidi Chumley, dean of Ross University School of Medicine, said the university was fully prepared to leverage its resources in assisting PAHO/WHO to improve and utilise evidence-based approaches to healthcare challenges in the region.

“This memorandum of understanding serves to align and synergise our efforts with PAHO’s priorities to maximise the impact of the work that we do,” said Dr Chumley. “This collaboration is exceptionally important to me personally as I believe that a medical school has the responsibility to make a positive impact wherever it is located. This collaboration fits squarely within RUSM’s purpose and mission.” (SB)