PAHO/WHO : "Health Promotion to Address Environmental Determinants of Health in Trinidad & Tobago using a Health Cities, Municipalities and Communities Approach"

On December 2nd 2024, TTALGA was proud to be part of a special consultation hosted by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organization (WHO) at the Trinidad Hilton Hotel.

The event entitled: “Health Promotion to Address Environmental Determinants of Health in Trinidad & Tobago using a Health Cities, Municipalities and Communities Approach” sought to inform and engage the Borough, City and Regional Corporations and the Tobago House of Assembly in health promotion in municipalities, cities and communities across Trinidad and Tobago, with a focus on addressing environmental determinants of health. To help support the discussions, attendees were informed by presentations by the Ministry of Health and the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) on topics such as air quality, climate change municipal mitigation and adaptation strategies along with important insights provided by Public Health Inspectors who provided their experience in addressing environmental determinants at the municipal level.

PAHO/WHO presenters included Dr. Gabriel Vivas-Francesconi, PWR PAHO/WHO Trinidad and Tobago; Dr. Daniel Buss, Unit Chief, Climate Change and Environmental Determinants of Health, PAHO/WHO; Dr. Juan Jose Castillo, Regional Advisor, Air Quality, PAHO/WHO; and Dr. Michelle Harris, Non-Communicable Disease and Mental Health Advisor, PAHO/WHO, Trinidad and Tobago. Locally presenting were Mr. Sunil Seebaransingh, Ministry of Health; Mr. Hayden Romano (Managing Director) and Ms. Treina Dinoo Ramlochan (Technical Officer 2) of the EMA; with discussions being jointly facilitated by Dr. Buss and Dr. Allana Best, PAHO/WHO.

Notable invitees included representatives of our new TTALGA Board: Chairman, Akeliah Glasgow Warner; and Vice Chairman, Doodnath Mayhroo. Other local government representatives also attended such as Chairman of the Mayaro/Rio Claro Regional Corporation, Alderman Raymond Cozier; and Chairman of the Penal/Debe Regional Corporation, Alderman Gowtam Maharaj.

Discussion topics included addressing the challenges and opportunities facing cities and municipalities with regard climate change and health; what progress is being made in measuring and addressing air quality in Trinidad & Tobago; and a lively and interactive discussion of strategies to address such challenges with actionable steps that include training and technical support needs in order to build healthy municipalities.