At the beginning of February, discussions were held with representatives of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to follow-up on their offer; made at January’s Steering Committee Meeting to assist with the baseline costing of the RHI’s. Directly as a result of this, a baseline costing of CAREC commenced on the 16th February; it is being executed by TDV Global Inc., whose services have been retained by PHAC.

During the period since the release of the last Bulletin, the Consultants commenced work on the costing of CARPHA. In addition the 4th Meeting of the CARPHA Steering Committee was held, and the Project Manager made presentations on CARPHA, to CARICOM Health Ministers, both at the 62nd World Health Assembly and more recently at the 18th COHSOD.

During the month of April the Caribbean Community Secretariat received notification, that its grant application to Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) had been successful. In addition the Project Manager made presentations at both the CMOs Meeting and the Council Meeting of the CHRC in St. Lucia; updating participants on activities related to the establishment of CARPHA.

During the month of March emphasis was placed on mobilizing technical and financial resources and finalizing the baseline study, using CAREC as a model.