The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is a regional public health agency headquartered in Trinidad and Tobago[2] which was established by CARICOM leaders in July 2011[1] and began operation in 2013.[2]
CARPHA combines the functions of five pre-existing regional health institutions:[3] The Caribbean Environmental Health Institute (CEHI), The Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC), The Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (CFNI), The Caribbean Health Research Centre (CHRC), and The Caribbean Research and Drug Treatment Laboratory (CRDTL).
Monitoring and preventing injuries, violence and illnesses in work places.
Contributing to global health agreements and compliance with international health regulations.
COVID-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic CARPHA has been performing tests for 18 countries in the region but warned on 5 April 2020, that they were running short on reagents required for COVID-19 testing and expected to be able to continue testing for three weeks.[7][needs update]
On 9 April 2020, the European Union announced a grant of €8M (US$8.6M), which will be implemented by the Caribbean Public Health Agency, for the fight against the coronavirus.[8][needs update]
On 11 April 2020, Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados who is the CARICOM Chair, called a special Heads of Government meeting to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, and establish a common public health protocol, and border policy.[9] The governments have agreed to the proposal in a virtual meeting.[10][needs update]
Membership
CARPHA has 26 full members throughout the Americas.[11]
