Bahamas becomes first Caricom member to join Alliance for Primary Health Care in the Americas
The PAHO-led alliance with the IDB and World Bank has mobilised more than US$1 billion for health investment across the region.
NASSAU, Bahamas. The Bahamas has joined the Alliance for Primary Health Care in the Americas, led by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank, to strengthen primary healthcare through investment, innovation and technical co-operation.
The country has also set up a Consultative Mechanism for Primary Health Care, led by its Ministry of Health and Wellness, to co-ordinate health investments and initiatives with alliance partners.
“For us, partnership in the Alliance is not about adding another country to a regional network, it is about adding meaningful impact where it matters most in the lives of our people,” said Health Minister Michael Darville.
He said the government expected technical expertise, investment and innovation to be better aligned with national priorities, supporting the Bahamas National Health Strategy and accelerating the transformation of the health system through a primary healthcare approach.
A permanent platform
The mechanism will provide a permanent platform for policy dialogue and technical collaboration, aligning investments with national priorities.
“The Bahamas is the first Caricom Member State to join the Alliance, marking a new chapter for the initiative and creating an important opportunity to extend its benefits across the Caribbean,” said Dr Jarbas Barbosa, director of PAHO.
The alliance helps countries strengthen primary healthcare through co-ordinated technical support, financing and policy dialogue, and has mobilised more than US$1 billion for health investments across the region.
