HISTORY OF CCH

The concept of the Caribbean Cooperation in Health (CCH) Initiative was introduced in 1984 at a meeting of the former CARICOM Conference of Ministers responsible for Health (CMH). The CMH saw this as a mechanism for health development through increasing collaboration and promoting technical cooperation among the countries in the Caribbean. The Initiative, in which seven (7) priority health areas were identified, was adopted by the CMH and approved by the Heads of Government in 1986. An evaluation of the initiative (1992-94) found that the priorities identified ensured that activities were focused in areas critical to improving health status in the region. Overall, it was established that the initiative was beneficial to Caribbean countries.

Functional cooperation in health has been a long-standing successful feature of cooperation in the Region. The Caribbean Cooperation in Health (CCH) advances the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) objective of enhanced functional cooperation found in Article 6 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, with the aim to achieve more efficient operation of common services and activities; to promote greater understanding among its peoples and the advancement of their social, cultural and technological development; and to intensify joint activities in areas such as health, education, transportation, and telecommunications. Over the years, the focus of the CCH has evolved in line with the changing international and regional context and to meet the needs of CARICOM Member States. Each iteration of the CCH framework has delivered significant health gains.