WASHINGTON, DC – Several Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries have been highlighted for the progress made in their health sectors, according to the latest report released Monday by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
PAHO has released the 2025 Annual Reports of its country offices highlighting Barbados, Bermuda, The Eastern Caribbean as well as Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname and Haiti as having recorded “key achievements” across the region last year.
The 2025 Annual Reports details the main results of technical cooperation achieved in collaboration with governments and strategic partners with each report highlighting concrete results, impacts, and stories from the field stemming from PAHO’s technical cooperation tailored to each country’s context and health priorities.
For example, Argentina, Bermuda, Haiti, and Venezuela strengthened sustained and equitable access to medicines, vaccines, and essential supplies, while Belize, Bolivia, and Curaçao advanced the integration of mental health into health systems through regulatory frameworks, national plans, strengthened services, and the empowerment of frontline personnel, using community-based, intersectoral, and rights-based approaches.
The Bahamas, Brazil, and Guatemala made progress in reducing maternal mortality, strengthening maternal and neonatal health service networks, and promoting environments supportive of healthy aging.
PAHO said based on the reports, Barbados and Eastern Caribbean countries, Cuba, Guyana, the Cayman Islands, and Mexico advanced in the prevention, control, treatment, and quality of care for noncommunicable diseases and their risk factors.
Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia and Panama advanced in digital transformation and modernization of the health sector through system interoperability, digital literacy for health personnel, telehealth, and the adoption of international standards for more efficient and equitable care.
The Turks and Caicos Islands, Jamaica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Peru strengthened national capacities for preparedness and response to emergencies, epidemics, and pandemics.
PAHO said that following Hurricane Melissa, which damaged five hospitals and more than 100 primary health centers in Jamaica, it provided immediate support to ensure continuity of health services.
Suriname became the first country in the Amazon basin to be certified malaria-free, raising the total number of malaria-free countries in the region and marking a historic milestone in regional elimination efforts .
“The initiatives presented in these reports not only contribute to protecting the health and well-being of populations, but also support stability, security, and social development in the Americas,” said Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, PAHO Director.
“As we present these annual reports, we reflect on a year that tested our resilience, challenged our health systems, and underscored the importance of Pan-Americanism,” he added.
The reports reflect diverse realities across countries, but also a shared effort to strengthen health systems by expanding access to essential technologies and treatments, as well as quality supplies at affordable prices through PAHO’s Regional Revolving Funds. They also highlight progress in digital health, primary health care, and mental health.
PAHO said with 27 country offices in the region, two specialized centers, and a presence in 35 member states and four Associate Members, it is the world’s oldest international public health agency.
Founded in 1902, the specialized health agency of the Inter-American System (OAS) has since 1949, also served as the WHO Regional Office for the Americas.
