St. Maarten signs six-year PAHO/WHO health strategy

St. Maarten has signed a 2026-2031 Country Cooperation Strategy with the Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organization, according to the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor. The strategy was announced during the 63rd PAHO Directing Council in Washington, D.C., and sets a framework for cooperation on the country’s national health priorities and the Ministry of VSA’s National Health Strategy.

The Ministry said the strategy focuses on people-centred health care, reducing noncommunicable diseases and mental health conditions, and strengthening disease surveillance and control of communicable diseases. It also covers digital transformation, health equity and emergency preparedness.

Minister Claret Connor said the framework could help St. Maarten obtain technical support to improve health-data collection, connections between data systems and the use of data in public-health decisions.

Connor also spoke on behalf of the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten during the council’s discussion on antimicrobial resistance. The Kingdom statement supported a One Health approach linking human, animal, plant and environmental health, as well as prevention, responsible antimicrobial use, equitable access and innovation.