AGP Executive Report

Avian Influenza Alert: Suriname has detected H5 avian influenza after a sharp rise in chicken deaths at a Wanica poultry farm, with samples testing positive for influenza A (H5) and authorities launching source and contact tracing, including follow-up after birds were reportedly moved to Commewijne. Health System Roadmap: Suriname and PAHO signed the Country Cooperation Strategy 2026–2030, aiming to strengthen the health system and improve well-being, building on Suriname’s WHO malaria-free certification (June 2025) while tackling ongoing burdens like noncommunicable diseases, HIV/TB, and mental health and suicide. Regional Lab Preparedness: CARPHA’s CariPHLN workshop in Bridgetown brought together Caribbean laboratory directors to boost networking, surveillance, diagnostics, and coordinated response, with Suriname participating virtually. Indigenous Health Knowledge: Indigenous healers and knowledge holders from Guyana, Suriname, and Brazil launched a regional Traditional Knowledge and Healers Network to support ethical practice and seek recognition and possible integration with national health systems.

Avian Influenza Alert (Suriname): Suriname has detected H5 avian influenza after a sharp spike in chicken deaths at a Wanica poultry farm, with about 6,000 birds affected and more than half reportedly dead; samples tested positive for influenza A (H5), and authorities say further lab work is needed to identify the exact variant and whether it’s highly or low pathogenic. Public Health Response: The Veterinary Service is working with the Bureau of Public Health on source and contact tracing, including follow-up after chickens were reportedly moved to Commewijne. Health System Planning (Suriname): Suriname and PAHO signed the Country Cooperation Strategy 2026–2030, a roadmap to strengthen the health system and improve well-being, building on progress like WHO malaria-free certification while flagging ongoing needs in noncommunicable diseases, HIV/TB, and mental health. Regional Lab Preparedness (Caribbean): CARPHA’s CariPHLN workshop in Barbados brought together lab directors to strengthen surveillance, diagnostics, networking, and faster response to health threats across the region.

Suriname-PAHO Health Roadmap: Suriname and PAHO signed the 2026–2030 Country Cooperation Strategy, aiming to strengthen the health system and improve well-being, with a focus on measurable action after progress like WHO malaria-free certification in 2025. Mental Health & Access Gaps: The strategy flags ongoing pressure from noncommunicable diseases, plus continued needs around HIV, tuberculosis, mental health, and suicide, including improving access to care. Regional Lab Preparedness: CARPHA’s CariPHLN workshop in Barbados brought together Caribbean lab directors to strengthen networking, surveillance, diagnostics, and coordinated public health response—key for faster detection and action. Indigenous Healing Network: Indigenous healers from Guyana, Suriname, and Brazil launched a regional traditional knowledge and healer network to share practices, set ethical protocols, and seek recognition by governments and health systems. Para Sport Development: CASA returned from a South Korea visit with a new vision for Caribbean para sport after touring major training facilities and meeting the Korea Paralympic Committee.

Indigenous Health & Traditional Medicine: Indigenous healers and traditional knowledge experts from Guyana, Suriname, and Brazil have launched the Regional Traditional Knowledge and Healers Network after a four-day exchange at Iwokrama River Lodge, aiming to strengthen ethical practices, share best practices in traditional medicines and healing, and push for recognition and possible integration with national health systems. Suriname Health System Planning: Suriname and PAHO signed the Country Cooperation Strategy 2026–2030, a roadmap to strengthen Suriname’s health system and improve well-being, building on progress like WHO malaria-free certification while flagging ongoing needs in noncommunicable diseases, HIV/TB, and mental health and suicide. Regional Lab Preparedness: CARPHA wrapped up the 11th CariPHLN workshop in Bridgetown, bringing together laboratory directors and public health lab professionals from across the Caribbean (including Suriname) to improve laboratory networking, surveillance, diagnostics coordination, and public health response. Mental Health Focus: On World Suicide Prevention Day, PANCAP urged stronger mental health action across the Americas and Caribbean, citing high suicide mortality rates in Guyana and Suriname and calling for community-wide support to reduce isolation and stigma.

Health System Roadmap: Suriname and PAHO signed the Country Cooperation Strategy 2026–2030, aiming to strengthen the health system and improve well-being, with priorities including tackling noncommunicable diseases, sustaining focus on HIV and tuberculosis, and addressing mental health and suicide. Regional Lab Preparedness: CARPHA wrapped up its 11th CariPHLN workshop in Bridgetown, bringing together lab directors across the Caribbean (including Suriname) to boost laboratory networking, surveillance, diagnostics coordination, and faster public health response. Mental Health & Suicide Prevention: On World Suicide Prevention Day, PANCAP highlighted suicide as a major public health concern across the Americas, noting high age-standardised rates in Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago, and calling for action beyond the health sector to reduce isolation and stigma. Medical Training Link: Venezuela’s President Delcy Rodríguez urged medical schools to accommodate more doctor trainees and pointed to a cooperation agreement with Suriname for students to study at ELAM, supporting more doctors for Caribbean health needs.

Health System Planning: Suriname and PAHO signed the Country Cooperation Strategy 2026–2030, a roadmap to strengthen the health system and improve well-being, with Minister André Misiekaba and PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa da Silva stressing implementation and measurable results. Mental Health & Suicide Prevention: On World Suicide Prevention Day, CARICOM partners highlighted high suicide mortality rates in Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago and called for action beyond clinics—families, schools, workplaces, faith groups, and governments all have a role. Regional Lab Preparedness: CARPHA’s CariPHLN workshop in Barbados brought together laboratory directors and public health lab teams to boost networking, surveillance, diagnostics, and coordinated response across the Caribbean, including Suriname participation. Indigenous Health Knowledge: Traditional healers and knowledge holders from Guyana, Suriname, and Brazil launched a Regional Traditional Knowledge and Healers Network at Iwokrama, aiming for ethical protocols and respectful recognition, including possible integration into national health systems. Medical Training Cooperation: Venezuela’s Delcy Rodríguez urged medical schools to expand training for new doctors and referenced a cooperation agreement with Suriname via ELAM to increase doctor supply for the Caribbean.

Suriname–PAHO Health Roadmap: Suriname and the Pan American Health Organization signed the Country Cooperation Strategy 2026–2030, aiming to strengthen the health system and improve well-being, with Minister André Misiekaba and PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa da Silva highlighting the need to turn priorities into measurable action. Regional Lab Preparedness: CARPHA wrapped up its 11th CariPHLN workshop in Bridgetown, bringing together lab directors from across the Caribbean (including Suriname) to boost laboratory networking, surveillance, diagnostics, and coordinated public health response. Mental Health & Suicide Prevention: On World Suicide Prevention Day, CARICOM partners stressed that suicide remains a major public health concern in the Americas, citing high age-standardised suicide mortality rates for Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago and calling for action beyond the health sector. Traditional Medicine Collaboration: Indigenous healers and knowledge holders from Guyana, Suriname, and Brazil launched a Regional Traditional Knowledge and Healers Network at Iwokrama, focusing on ethical protocols and advocating respectful recognition and possible integration of Indigenous medicinal knowledge into national health systems. Medical Training for More Doctors: Venezuela’s President Delcy Rodríguez urged medical schools to accommodate more graduates, pointing to cooperation with Suriname through the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM) to train more doctors for Caribbean and regional needs.

Suriname–PAHO Health Roadmap: Suriname and the Pan American Health Organization signed the Country Cooperation Strategy 2026–2030, a roadmap to strengthen the health system and improve well-being, with Minister André Misiekaba and PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa da Silva stressing implementation and measurable results. Mental Health & Suicide Prevention: On World Suicide Prevention Day, CARICOM’s PANCAP called for stronger mental health action across the region, citing high suicide mortality rates in Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago and urging families, schools, workplaces, and communities to reduce isolation and stigma. Regional Lab Preparedness: CARPHA’s CariPHLN workshop in Barbados brought together laboratory directors from across the Caribbean (including Suriname) to boost networking, surveillance, diagnostics, and coordinated public health response, funded through CARPHA’s Pandemic Fund. Indigenous Healing Network: Indigenous healers and knowledge holders from Guyana, Suriname, and Brazil launched a Regional Traditional Knowledge and Healers Network at Iwokrama to share traditional medicine practices and push for respectful recognition and possible integration into national health systems. Venezuela–Suriname Cooperation: Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodríguez signed multiple agreements with Suriname covering health and education alongside energy, fishing, transport, tourism, and agriculture, aiming to turn long-standing ties into practical cooperation.

Health System Roadmap: Suriname and PAHO signed the Country Cooperation Strategy 2026–2030, a virtual ceremony led by Health Minister André Misiekaba and PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa da Silva, aiming to strengthen Suriname’s health system and improve well-being; it builds on progress like WHO malaria-free certification in June 2025, while flagging ongoing needs in noncommunicable diseases, HIV/TB, and mental health. Regional Lab Preparedness: CARPHA wrapped up the 11th CariPHLN workshop in Bridgetown (Sept 8–10), bringing together lab directors and public health lab professionals from across the Caribbean, including Suriname, to boost laboratory networking, surveillance, diagnostics, and coordinated response. Mental Health Focus: On World Suicide Prevention Day, CARICOM-linked partners highlighted high suicide mortality rates reported for Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago and called for stronger, whole-of-society action to reduce isolation and stigma. Traditional Medicine & Care: Indigenous healers and knowledge holders from Guyana, Suriname, and Brazil launched a Regional Traditional Knowledge and Healers Network at Iwokrama, aiming for ethical protocols and respectful recognition of Indigenous medicinal knowledge in national health systems. Training More Doctors: Venezuela’s Delcy Rodríguez urged medical schools to accept more students, pointing to an education cooperation agreement with Suriname tied to the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM) to expand doctor training for the Caribbean.

Health System Roadmap: Suriname and PAHO signed the Country Cooperation Strategy 2026–2030, a roadmap to strengthen the health system and improve well-being, with a focus on measurable results and follow-through on priorities like noncommunicable diseases, HIV/TB, and mental health. Regional Lab Preparedness: CARPHA’s CariPHLN workshop in Barbados brought together laboratory directors (including Suriname) to boost networking, surveillance, diagnostics, and coordinated public health response across the Caribbean. Mental Health & Suicide Prevention: PANCAP marked World Suicide Prevention Day by urging stronger action across CARICOM, pointing to high suicide mortality rates in Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago and stressing the role of families, schools, workplaces, and communities. Indigenous Knowledge & Healing: A Regional Traditional Knowledge and Healers Network was launched by Indigenous healers from Guyana, Suriname, and Brazil, aiming for ethical protocols and respectful recognition of traditional medicinal knowledge in national health systems. Medical Training Links: Venezuela’s Delcy Rodríguez urged medical schools to train more doctors and highlighted cooperation with Suriname through ELAM to expand access to medical education for Caribbean students.

Suriname–PAHO Health Roadmap: Suriname and the Pan American Health Organization signed a new Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) 2026–2030 to strengthen the health system, with Minister André Misiekaba and PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa da Silva highlighting measurable implementation. The plan builds on Suriname’s WHO malaria-free certification (June 2025) while tackling ongoing gaps in noncommunicable diseases, HIV and tuberculosis, and mental health and suicide. Regional Lab Preparedness: CARPHA’s CariPHLN workshop in Bridgetown (Sept 8–10) brought together lab directors from across the Caribbean, including Suriname, to improve laboratory networking, surveillance, diagnostics coordination, and public health response. Suicide Prevention Push: On World Suicide Prevention Day, PANCAP urged stronger mental health action across CARICOM, citing high suicide mortality rates in Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago (PAHO 2021) and stressing that prevention must involve families, schools, workplaces, faith groups, and governments. Medical Training Link: Venezuela’s Delcy Rodríguez urged medical schools to expand doctor training and pointed to cooperation with Suriname, including student pathways to the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM), aiming to increase access to care across the Caribbean.

Suriname-PAHO Health Roadmap: Suriname and PAHO signed the Country Cooperation Strategy 2026–2030, a roadmap to strengthen the health system and improve well-being, with priorities including noncommunicable diseases, HIV and TB, and mental health/suicide—building on Suriname’s WHO malaria-free certification in 2025. Mental Health & Suicide Prevention: PANCAP marked World Suicide Prevention Day by urging stronger, whole-of-society action; PAHO data cited high suicide mortality rates in Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago, and highlighted how HIV stigma can worsen mental health. Regional Lab Preparedness: CARPHA’s CariPHLN workshop in Barbados brought together lab directors across the Caribbean (including Suriname) to strengthen laboratory networking, surveillance, diagnostics, and coordinated public health response. Medical Training Link: Venezuela’s Delcy Rodríguez urged medical schools to accept more doctor trainees and pointed to a cooperation agreement with Suriname for students to study at ELAM, aiming to expand Caribbean access to doctors. Indigenous Health Knowledge: A Guyana–Suriname–Brazil network of traditional knowledge and healers was launched to support integrating Indigenous medicinal knowledge into national healthcare systems.

Suriname–PAHO Health Roadmap: Suriname and PAHO signed the Country Cooperation Strategy 2026–2030, a roadmap to strengthen the health system and improve well-being, with priorities including noncommunicable diseases, HIV/TB, and mental health and suicide concerns. Regional Lab Preparedness: CARPHA’s CariPHLN workshop in Bridgetown brought together Caribbean lab directors (including Suriname) to boost laboratory networking, surveillance, diagnostics, and coordinated public health response. Suicide Prevention Push: On World Suicide Prevention Day, PANCAP urged stronger mental health action across CARICOM, pointing to high suicide mortality rates in Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago and stressing that prevention must go beyond the health sector. Venezuela–Suriname Cooperation with Health Links: Venezuela’s Delcy Rodríguez highlighted signed agreements with Suriname spanning energy, fishing, agriculture, transport, tourism, education, and health, including training and cooperation tied to medical education. Travel-Linked Chikungunya Alert: Chikungunya cases in the US are travel-associated only so far, with 89 diagnosed after trips abroad—reinforcing the need for clinicians and travelers to take mosquito precautions seriously.

Regional Lab Readiness: CARPHA’s 11th Annual Caribbean Public Health Laboratory Network workshop in Bridgetown (Sept 8–10) brought together lab directors and public health teams, including Suriname, to strengthen how quickly health threats are detected and acted on. Doctor Training Push: Venezuela’s President Delcy Rodríguez urged medical schools to absorb more new doctors, pointing to cooperation with Suriname’s students and the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM) to expand regional healthcare capacity. Suicide Prevention Focus: PANCAP marked World Suicide Prevention Day by calling for stronger mental health action across CARICOM, highlighting high suicide mortality rates in Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago and stressing that prevention must go beyond the health sector to tackle isolation, stigma, and discrimination. Mental Health Cooperation in the Americas: PAHO convened countries including Suriname to review the first year of a Regional Suicide Prevention Initiative, with emphasis on equity, care networks, and integrating mental health into primary care. Amazon Health Governance: Guyana took over the Pro Tempore Presidency of CESAM (Special Commission on Health in the Amazon), aiming to operationalize subcommissions on digital health, emerging diseases, and intercultural health and traditional medicine, with Suriname’s malaria elimination experience highlighted as a model. Traditional Medicine Network: Indigenous healers and knowledge holders from Guyana, Suriname, and Brazil launched a Regional Traditional Knowledge and Healers Network at Iwokrama to support integrating Indigenous medicinal knowledge into national healthcare systems.

Medical Training & Regional Health Links: Venezuela’s Delcy Rodríguez urged medical schools to expand training for new doctors and pointed to a Suriname education cooperation that sends students to ELAM, aiming to boost Caribbean access to care. Suicide Prevention Push: PANCAP marked World Suicide Prevention Day by calling for stronger mental health action across CARICOM, citing high suicide mortality rates in Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago and stressing that prevention must go beyond the health sector. Traditional Medicine Network: Indigenous healers and knowledge holders from Guyana, Suriname, and Brazil launched a Regional Traditional Knowledge and Healers Network, aiming to integrate Indigenous medicinal knowledge into national healthcare systems. Amazon Health Cooperation: PAHO convened countries including Suriname to review the first year of a Regional Suicide Prevention Initiative, while Guyana took over CESAM’s Pro Tempore Presidency with plans to strengthen regional health work, including intercultural health and traditional medicine. Bilateral Health Agreements: Rodríguez’s Suriname visit produced agreements spanning energy, fishing, agriculture, transport, tourism, education, and health—plus food-security steps through harmonized animal and phytosanitary rules.

Mental Health & Suicide Prevention: On World Suicide Prevention Day, PANCAP urged stronger mental health action across CARICOM, pointing to high suicide mortality rates in Guyana and Suriname and stressing that prevention must go beyond clinics to tackle isolation, stigma, and HIV-related discrimination. Regional Health Cooperation (Amazon): Guyana took over the Pro Tempore Presidency of the Special Commission on Health in the Amazon (CESAM), with plans to operationalise subcommissions on Digital Health, Priority/Emerging Diseases, and Intercultural Health & Traditional Medicine. Traditional Medicine & Indigenous Knowledge: Healers and knowledge holders from Guyana, Suriname, and Brazil launched a Regional Traditional Knowledge and Healers Network, aiming to link Indigenous medicinal knowledge with national healthcare systems. Suriname–Venezuela Health & Food Security Deals: Venezuela’s Delcy Rodríguez signed multiple agreements with Suriname covering energy, fishing, agriculture, transport, tourism, education, and health, including cooperation to harmonize animal and phytosanitary rules for food production and regional food security. Public Health Systems & Travel Risk: PAHO-related updates highlighted the need for people to seek care after travel-related fever and severe joint pain, as chikungunya cases in the Americas remain linked to travelers rather than local spread.