7th Growth and Resilience Dialogue Culminates; Stakeholders Address Primary Health Care Delivery

Today, April 26, marks the second day of the 7^th Growth and Resilience Dialogue, hosted by the Eastern Central Bank (ECCB), in collaboration with the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the World Bank and the University of the West Indies (UWI).

The two- day symposium, April 25 and 26, underscores the need for public/private sector partnerships to ensure maximum results within the healthcare sector, throughout the Eastern Caribbean region. Stakeholders at the sessions include parliamentarians, technocrats, entrepreneurs, students and service providers.

Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, who is also the Minister of Health, in the featured address at the opening ceremony for the two days of consultations, underscored the need for more investment in the health sector, to buttress primary health care. He noted that this is critical to save lives and safeguard livelihoods.

“As we strengthen our health systems in preparation for future public health threats, we must embrace innovative technologies to ensure efficiency and efficacy in healthcare delivery. Digitization of the operations of the Ministry of Health is a priority of this government. Digital technology could help make unsustainable healthcare systems more efficient, improve the interaction between patients and medical staff and offer more affordable, quicker and more effective treatments for diseases,” Prime Minister Drew emphasized.

He also called for more research to underscore the necessity for fusion between traditional medicine and modern treatments.

“During the pandemic, we witnessed firsthand the benefits of the collaboration of both forms of medicinal practices- modern and traditional-to combat the symptoms of Covid-19. For example, the blend of turmeric, ginger, and lemon juice for its anti-inflammatory effect and to help boost the immune system,” the Prime Minister alluded.

“Research has underscored the therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids. Cannabinoids is the fancy for cannabis, marijuana, or ganga as we call it in the sub-region, and we, therefore, welcome the third plenary session. We anticipate regional data on the uses of cannabis along with hearing about the best practices in establishing the medicinal cannabis industry,” Dr. Drew added.

The second day of the symposium features a virtual exhibition, highlighting new and emerging technologies that are transforming health care.

Day one was for extensive discussions among the various stakeholders. Conversations on an agile healthcare infrastructure; exploration of technology in healthcare; recommendations to address pandemics and respiratory ailments and the impact of antimicrobial resistances were very fruitful.