Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department in the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (Ministry VSA), is preparing to participate in a regional desk-top simulation exercise for the introduction of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) to the Caribbean Region which is scheduled for July 13-14.
The objectives of the desktop simulation exercise are to test existing plans for response to a potential introduction into the region of EVD; to identify gaps where they may exist; and to outline further steps toward strengthening regional response, based on the lessons learned from the exercise.
Although the threat posed by the current EVD situation in West Africa has declined significantly, the preparations made for EVD response and benefits to be derived from an exercise testing these preparations can only serve to put the countries of the region on a better footing for responding to health security threats which may confront the region in the future.
The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) were mandated by the 17th Special Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government in November 2014, to work together and with Member States to, inter alia, facilitate national and regional desk-top simulation exercises.