Saint Lucia hosts 68th edition of prestigious health and research conference

Saint Lucia: The 68th Annual Health and Research Conference is underway in Saint Lucia. This three day long conference (from April 25 to 27, 2024), organized by CARPHA (The Caribbean Public Health Agency) is aimed at fostering health by mitigating criminal activities in the country. This is being celebrated under the theme; Violence in the Caribbean “A Public Health Crisis.”Through the conference, the ones participating will have the opportunity to participate in workshops and panel discussions. These have a major focus on health innovation. There will be health professionals, researchers, policymakers and stakeholders present at the conference that build the network. This enables the exchange of ideas that will shape the future of health in the Caribbean region.During the conference, the discussions related to latest trends and developments in public health are to be pushed. This commits to foster health in the country. This reflects a collective commitment to explore innovative solutions to certain pressing issues. This involves addressing health issues, crime and violence reduction and ensuring the well- being of the people of the Caribbean.Not only this, the conference as well seeks to foster a culture of research and build capacity among local health and allied professionals. The theme “Violence in the Caribbean “A Public Health Crisis,” itself says of including the best practices that will help in reducing and breaking the cycle of violence.This includes the rooted demonstration of the nature of the violence and how health systems can help to prevent and respond to violence as the part of a multisectoral response. On the first day of the conference, various ministers from the Caribbean region participated. The list to them includes:

• Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Philip J Pierre
• Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Terrance Drew
• Executive Director of the Caribbean Public Health Agency, Dr. Joy St. John

Many other delegates as well attended the conference. They outlined the required steps that could be taken forward for the betterment of facilities and implementations in the procedure of healthcare. As well, they had discussions on non-communicable diseases, infectious diseases, nutrition related illness. And, violence that can lead to trauma, injury or can affect mental health.