Dr Joy St John, Executive Director of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and Chair of the Health Safety and Security Sub-Committee (HSSC), led a team of regional stakeholders in a virtual discussion on health surveillance and intelligence in preparation for the Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 on Wednesday, 31 January. The HSSC was convened to ensure an effective inter-sectoral response for the health, safety and security of players, citizens and visitors to the Men’s T20 World Cup Tournament in the Caribbean. The Men’s T20 World Cup Tournament in the Caribbean is on the agenda of the 46th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM which will be held in Georgetown, Guyana, 25-28 February 2024 under the Chairmanship of His Excellency Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana.
Critical issues decided on Wednesday, included the opportunities for a cohesive regional transportation response offered by the New CARICOM Multilateral Air Services Agreement (MASA), surveillance and response strategies for illegal weapons and drugs, public health surveillance and response, travel health and public risks, medical response capacity, food and beverage handling, and food and water safety.
Dr St John underscored the importance of building the capacity of public health workers to identify illicit drugs that may be in circulation during the T20 celebrations and events. She stressed that over Five Billion people would be viewing the T20, and it was an opportunity to highlight the Region as a safe, healthy and hospitable location for travel and enjoyment.
In addition, representatives from the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), Ms Amalia Del Riego and Ms Lealou Reballos, briefed stakeholders on PAHO’s support for Caribbean territories and sub-regional collaboration with CARPHA. The agency is currently working with Caribbean territories on building the capacity of the public health sector in disaster management and preparedness.
CARICOM Secretariat representatives at the meeting included Ms Allison Drayton, Assistant Secretary-General, Human and Social Development, Mr Sherwin Toyne Stephenson, Programme Manager, Crime and Security, Ms Pauline Yearwood, Deputy Programme Manager, Transportation, Mr Timothy Austin, Communications Officer and Ms Chenelle Spooner, Communications Officer – Social Media.
Mr KJ Singh, Head of Operations, International Cricket Council (ICC), commended stakeholders for their commitment to public health and safety for the upcoming T20 and committed to close collaboration to ensure a successful series of events.
Three (3) venues in the USA and six (6) in the Caribbean will be used for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, as the groups and fixtures for the ninth edition of the 20-over showcase were confirmed in January.