By Zoila Palma: The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and The University of the West Indies (UWI) have graduated the third cohort of their joint Postgraduate Diploma and Certificate in Health Policy and Health Systems, an initiative aimed at strengthening health leadership and policymaking capacity across the Caribbean.
Launched in 2022 through a partnership with the UWI Cave Hill Campus, the programme prepares professionals to address pressing challenges, including health workforce shortages, migration, population ageing, noncommunicable diseases, climate change and health emergencies.
The latest cohort graduated in July 2026, bringing the programme’s total to 11 professionals from eight Caribbean countries and territories, including Barbados, the British Virgin Islands, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. The programme comes as Caribbean countries continue to face difficulties recruiting, retaining and developing healthcare professionals.
PAHO estimates that Latin America and the Caribbean could face a shortage of between 600,000 and 2 million health professionals by 2030 if current trends continue.
In the English-speaking Caribbean, PAHO data indicate that 92% of surveyed health professionals would be less likely to migrate if greater opportunities for professional development were available in their home countries. “Caribbean countries face growing challenges related to health workforce shortages, migration and the increasing complexity of health workforce governance in relation to public health needs,” said Dr. Benjamin Puertas, Chief of PAHO’s Human Resources for Health Unit.
The curriculum was jointly developed by PAHO specialists and UWI faculty and tailored to the realities of Caribbean countries, particularly Small Island Developing States. Participants receive training in health systems, public health leadership and governance, health economics, human resources for health, and medicines and health technologies, before completing a supervised practicum with PAHO.
Professor Clive Landis, Pro Vice Chancellor and Principal of the UWI Cave Hill Campus, said the university was pleased to co-develop a programme addressing the shortage of specialized healthcare leaders in the region. “The programme combines rigorous academic training with real-world application in which students develop health policies relevant to their respective countries and region,” he said. Members of the latest cohort developed policy proposals addressing issues such as health workforce development, dementia care and access to health services for transgender populations.
Leah-Mari Richards, a former mentor of the first cohort and now Chief of PAHO’s Caribbean Subregional Program, said the initiative reflects the organization’s commitment to developing sustainable health leadership within the region.
“This programme reflects PAHO’s commitment to building sustainable, homegrown health leadership across the Caribbean,” she said, adding that the focus now is on training more leaders who can turn challenges observed on the ground into policies that strengthen health systems over the long term.
The post International News: Pan American Health Organization and University of the West Indies strengthen Health Leadership across the Caribbean appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and The University of the West Indies (UWI) have graduated the third cohort of their joint Postgraduate Diploma and Certificate in Health Policy and Health Systems, an initiative aimed at strengthening health leadership and policymaking capacity across the Caribbean. Launched in 2022 through a partnership with
The post International News: Pan American Health Organization and University of the West Indies strengthen Health Leadership across the Caribbean appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
