BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, July 13, CMC – Assistant Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Joy St John, has urged Barbados to take a multi-sectoral approach to climate change, health and other environmental issues. Advice that has been circulated throughout CARICOM and the OECS.
She made these recommendations during a joint-ministerial courtesy call on Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Dr Jerome Walcott.
Dr. Joy St John (second left) meeting with officials in Barbados
Dr. St. John, a former Chief Medical Officer in Barbados, explained that such an approach was critical in assisting the country to assume a leadership role in the areas of climate change, health and environment.
She noted that this approach was beneficial, especially when seeking to access funding, suggesting that in the same way there was a clear national agenda for HIV and a multi-sectorial approach to non communicable diseases, there needed to be similar collaboration for climate change, water sustainability, hygiene in health facilities and air pollution, among others.
The PAHO official also pointed out that climate change was a part of the Blue Economy and Barbados needed to ensure there was suitable representation when new policies were created at the international level.
Dr. Walcott thanked Dr. St. John for her advice, and stated that he was conscious of the value of an integrated approach, especially with health, the Blue Economy and the environment. He said he would take her suggestions on board.
