The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) joins the global community in observing World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW), reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding the region against antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a serious and growing global public health threat to health security, healthcare systems and sustainable development, often referred to as the silent pandemic.
AMR occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites stop responding to medicines, making infections harder, and sometimes impossible to treat. Consistent with the WAAW 2025 theme – “Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future”, CARPHA is urging “responsible use of antimicrobials” and highlighting the significant strides made through its Integrated AMR Programme.
CARPHA’s Integrated AMR Programme: Strengthening the Region’s Defenses
CARPHA’s new Integrated AMR Programme, supported by partners including the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the Fleming Fund and the Pandemic Fund Project has emerged as a model for regional collaboration. The programme takes a comprehensive multi-faceted regional approach, strengthening surveillance, laboratory capacity and coordinated action across sectors to detect, understand, and respond to AMR in the Caribbean.
Key Achievements of CARPHA’s AMR Programme include:
- Launch of CARA – the Caribbean Antimicrobial Resistance Alliance. A major milestone is the establishment of CARA, the Caribbean Antimicrobial Resistance Alliance, ajoint initiative between CARPHA and the UKHSA, which serves as the technical and operational backbone of CARPHA’s AMR agenda. CARA is leading the region in establishing AMR Reference laboratory capacity across CARPHA sites in Trinidad, Jamaica, and Saint Lucia; developing the Regional AMR surveillance system, strengthening data collection, reporting, and interpretation across Member States; harmonising standards, sharing expertise and regional coordination, working with partners towards sustainable AMR preparedness.
- Regional Expansion of AMR Laboratory Capacity
CARPHA advanced plans to expand its Jamaica and Saint Lucia laboratories as regional reference laboratories for AMR testing alongside the CARPHA Medical Microbiology Laboratory (CMML) in Port of Spain, Trinidad. This significantly reduces delays, improves detection of priority pathogens, and enhances access to high-quality AMR diagnostics for Member States.
- Strengthened Workforce Capacity
Through joint efforts with UKHSA, CARPHA has received multiple technical experts on secondment, supporting improvements in surveillance, laboratory systems, emergency response, AMR data analytics, tourism and health, and One Health coordination. - Multi-country Training and Capacity BuildingCARPHA, PAHO, and UKHSA jointly organised a series of regional capacity-building activities, including phenotypic testing, molecular testing, and Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) workshops, along with a UKHSA AMR surveillance and epidemiology training delivered to CARPHA staff.
- Strengthened Partnerships Under the Pandemic Fund and Fleming Fund
CARPHA’s AMR expansion is reinforced through major investments for laboratory upgrades, workforce development, and surveillance integration, enhancing resilience across the region.
CARPHA Executive Director, Dr. Lisa Indar, emphasised the urgency of continued action:
“Antimicrobial resistance threatens the health and development of every Caribbean nation. Through CARPHA’s Integrated AMR Programme and the work of CARA, we are building a stronger, more resilient region. But success requires collective responsibility, governments, healthcare providers, veterinarians, farmers, laboratories, and the public all have a role to play”.
As CARPHA deepens its AMR work through strengthened surveillance, testing capacity and One Health partnerships, CARPHA remains committed to supporting Member States in preserving the effectiveness of life-saving medicines.
How We Can All Help Fight AMR
For the Public:
- Only use antibiotics and other antimicrobials when prescribed by a qualified healthcare professional
- Never share or save leftover antimicrobials
- Practice good hygiene: handwashing, safe food handling, and staying up to date on vaccinations
- Follow treatment instructions exactly as directed
For Healthcare Providers:
- Prescribe antimicrobials only when necessary and based on clinical evidence
- Educate patients about the importance of appropriate antimicrobial use
- Implement infection prevention and control strategies in all care settings
For Animal and Agriculture Sectors:
- Use antimicrobials responsibly and only under professional guidance
- Strengthen biosecurity, sanitation, and vaccination practices to reduce infection risk
- Support surveillance and reporting of antimicrobial use and resistance
During WAAW, CARPHA encourages all stakeholders, governments, clinicians, pharmacists, veterinarians, laboratories, community leaders, and the public to champion responsible use of antimicrobials and support AMR prevention initiatives.
