Growing confidence in CARPHA

Growing confidence is being placed in the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the recently amalgamated body of five previous regional health institutes – namely the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre, Caribbean Health Research Council, Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute, Caribbean Environmental Health Institute and the Caribbean Research Drug Testing.

Word of this came from Dr. Donald Simeon, Deputy Executive Director of the agency, during his welcoming comments at CARPHA’s 58th annual conference, which took place in Barbados recently. Dr. Simeon reported that there had been a 30 per cent increase in the number of scientific papers submitted for review as well as an increase in those accepted for presentation this year. He also noted that with over 200 delegates registering, this year’s conference was the largest ever hosted by the scientific research body.

During his remarks, the Deputy Executive Director gave the assurance that CARPHA’s work plan would be a continuation of all previous activities of the Caribbean Health Research Council (CHRC), amongst them being the annual conference.

“The annual conference has stood out as a beacon over the last 58 years, serving as the primary vehicle for the sharing of research in the [medical community],” said Dr. Simeon.

He added that the conference provided opportunities for medical researchers to network and build collaborations, and further noted that through such collaborations, research was produced that had been used to guide policymaking in the region.

Dr. Simeon credited CARPHA for its ability to develop and maintain close relations with the region’s chief medical officers.

This year’s conference surrounded child obesity. (RA)