BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and The University of the West Indies (UWI) have marked the graduation of the third cohort of their joint postgraduate programme aimed at strengthening health policy and leadership capacity across the Caribbean.
The Postgraduate Diploma and Certificate in Health Policy and Health Systems programme was launched in 2022 through a partnership between PAHO and the UWI Cave Hill Campus in Barbados.
PAHO said the programme prepares professionals to respond to challenges including health workforce shortages, migration, population ageing, noncommunicable diseases, climate change and health emergencies.
With the graduation of the third cohort in July, the initiative has trained 11 professionals from Barbados, the British Virgin Islands, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago.
Pathetic programme comes at a critical time as Caribbean countries continue to face difficulties training, recruiting and retaining health workers.
In 2025, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) health ministers endorsed the Human Resources for Resilient Health Systems Caribbean Roadmap 2025–2030, which identifies education, professional development, governance and leadership among priorities for strengthening regional health systems.
PAHO estimates that Latin America and the Caribbean could face a shortage of between 600,000 and two million health professionals by 2030 if current trends continue.
It said migration remains a particular concern in the Caribbean, with 92 per cent of health professionals surveyed in the English-speaking region indicating they would be less likely to migrate if more professional development opportunities 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.
