The Ministries of Public Health of the Netherlands, Aruba, Curacao and St. Maarten just wrapped up their two day meetings at DIVI Little Bay Resort, where representatives met to discuss International Health Regulations (IHR). Chairperson of the meetings was former Governor of the Netherlands Antilles Frits Goedgedrag.
The two-day meeting concluded with the decision being that a draft covenant will be signed between the four countries, whereby they will agree to set-up a sub-focal for International Health Regulations. A project leader will be appointed to work with all countries on IHR and this must all be in place by June 2014.
IHR require World Health Organization member states, of which the Netherlands represents the Kingdom partners and the BES islands, to strengthen core surveillance and response capacities at primary, intermediate and national level, as well as at designated international ports, airports and ground crossings.