OECS MEDIA RELEASE

After five years, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission has completed the World Bank-funded OECS Regional Health Project. The culmination of the project was marked with a hybrid in-person and virtual Close-Out Ceremony on July 30, 2024, at the Royalton Hotel, Saint Lucia.

The project was launched in a bid to strengthen the preparedness capacities of health systems for public health emergencies and commenced work in August 2019. The beneficiary OECS Member States are the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Delivering remarks at the ceremony, Ms Sisera Simon, Head, Human and Social Division, OECS Commission stated,

“This project has been a significant undertaking as it aligns strategically with the priorities of the OECS Commission. Our region has faced numerous challenges including low economic growth, these issues exacerbate the difficulties faced by critical institutions like our health system in terms of crisis. This project was conceived in recognition of these challenges and aimed to mitigate their impact through strategic efforts.”

Ms. Jenny Daniel, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs, Saint Lucia, representing a project beneficiary country remarked,

“Since the project launch in 2019, the OECS Commission has undertaken many activities that have benefitted the Government of Saint Lucia and the Ministry of Health and Wellness.”

Addressing attendees at the ceremony, Mr. Thulani Matsebula, Task Leader – World Bank, thanked the OECS Commission for its work on the project. According to Mr. Matsebula,

“This is a bittersweet moment for us, I want to appreciate the Project Implementation Unit. Thank you so much for your hard work on this project and ensuring the implementation was not falling behind.”

Also delivering remarks were Dr. Carlene Radix, Technical Advisor to the OECS Commission and a cocreator of this project, who recognised the role of the World Bank in working with countries; and Ms Faith Harry Jn. Baptiste, Project Manager, OECS Regional Health Project who highlighted a ninety-three percent completion rate of the project, with 18 technical working groups and over 700 sub-activities.

The OECS Commission wishes to thank the World Bank, CARPHA all Members States and stakeholders for their support.

Key Accomplishments of the OECS Regional Health Project

• Trained 67 persons in Sexual & Reproductive Health & GBV for emergency disaster situations and 80+ Persons in the analysis and use of GIS Data for Decision-Making & Emergency Response.
• Created Resource Budgets and Action Plans for LQMS and a PR campaign to support advocacy for Regulation of Public Health Labs in the OECS.
• Launched OECS GIS Server and Online Portal for sharing GIS information, and Inventory & Geodatabase of 167 Health Facilities and Services in 6 OECS Countries.
• Developed an action plan for Supply Chain Management of pooled procurement of Laboratory Equipment & Supplies in the OECS.
• Drafted Model Legislation, an Action Plan and a Communications Campaign for the implementation of an OECS ID linked to a unique health identifier.
• Established Harmonized Framework, Implementation Plan and Technical Specifications for the harmonization of Registration of Health Professionals in the OECS.
• Developed ​ Policies and Procedures for the Development, Maintenance, Use and sharing of Geographic Information Systems Data in the OECS.
• Developed OECS Multi-hazard preparedness & response Framework and Plan for enhancing the coordination of regional emergencies.
• Procured Registration Software for the Harmonization of Registration of Health Professionals in the OECS.
• Procured and stockpiled debris clearance kits for multi-hazard emergency response in the OECS.