Caribbean health leaders pushing innovation as key to future pandemic response

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has opened its 70th Annual Health Research Conference with a strong call for innovation, collaboration and resilience in the face of evolving global health threats.

Delivering the opening remarks, Executive Director Dr. Lisa Indar on Wednesday said that the region is navigating a rapidly changing global health landscape shaped by emerging infectious diseases, shifting funding priorities and geopolitical uncertainty.

“We are reeling from the devastating global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which showed us gaps in our health systems and the need for coordinated, multisectoral, real-time detection and response,” she said.

Against this backdrop, Dr Indar stressed that innovation is no longer optional.

“We now stand at the threshold of a new era. One where health innovation is not optional but essential,” Dr. Indar said, adding that technology and local ingenuity must drive the region’s response.

She pointed to advances such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered outbreak detection, rapid genomic sequencing, telemedicine and mobile healthcare as critical tools reshaping public health systems.

“Public health innovation is helping us detect pandemics faster, respond smarter and recover stronger. It is reducing disparities, increasing access and strengthening resilience,” she noted.

Importantly, Dr. Indar emphasised that the Caribbean is not simply keeping pace with global trends but actively contributing to them.

“In the Caribbean, we are not merely adopting innovation — we are creating it. At CARPHA, we are proud to be advancing a suite of cross-cutting, Caribbean-tailored innovations purpose-built for the realities of our region,” Dr Indar said.

Held under the theme “Innovations in Health,” the conference brings together nearly 500 participants along with more than 10 distinguished speakers and regional representatives, all focused on advancing solutions tailored to Caribbean realities.

The conference is expected to highlight cutting-edge research, foster regional partnerships and set the agenda for a more resilient and technologically driven Caribbean health sector.