AGP Executive Report

One Health Investment: Guyana’s government and the World Bank reviewed project delivery, including a One Health initiative, with Finance Minister Ashni Singh urging faster implementation. Bird Flu Watch: Suriname has no confirmed human cases; all samples tested through Oct. 19 were negative for H5 influenza. H5 was found in poultry at one farm, but the strain and its severity remain under investigation, and officials say the risk has not disappeared. Emergency Preparedness: A Surinamese health delegation visiting Barbados studied emergency coordination, primary care and laboratory services to help strengthen the country’s health emergency operations and pandemic readiness. Mental Health: A PAHO study found suicide deaths among people aged 60 and older in the Americas more than doubled from 2000 to 2023, underscoring the need to build prevention and support into healthy-aging services. Regional Health Funding: A U.S. Caribbean investment package includes a proposed $61.5 million healthcare initiative.

Youth Mental Health: Suicide deaths among people aged 10–24 rose 38% across the Americas from 2000 to 2021, PAHO reports, prompting calls for earlier support in schools and communities. Suriname Health Preparedness: A delegation led by Health Minister André Misiekaba visited Barbados to study emergency coordination, primary care and laboratory services, informing plans for Suriname’s emergency operations centre. Older Adult Care: Suicide deaths among people 60 and older in the Americas more than doubled from 2000 to 2023 as the population aged, underscoring the need to integrate prevention into healthy-aging services. Regional Health Investment: A US$340-million Caribbean package includes US$61.5 million earmarked for a regional healthcare initiative; Suriname took part in the talks. Emergency Transport: PAHO and Suriname’s health partners completed training for transport staff on safely moving vaccines, specimens and other critical supplies during health emergencies.

Youth Mental Health: Suicide deaths among people aged 10–24 in the Americas rose 38% from 2000 to 2021, reaching 18,157 in 2021. PAHO and the OAS are calling for earlier detection and stronger support in schools and communities. Emergency Preparedness: Suriname’s health ministry and PAHO/WHO delegation visited Barbados to study emergency coordination, primary care and laboratory services. The lessons will help Suriname advance plans for a Health Emergency Operations Centre. Healthy Aging: Suicide deaths among adults aged 60 and over in the Americas more than doubled between 2000 and 2023, to 27,792, even as the regional rate remained relatively stable, a PAHO study found. Regional Health Funding: A U.S. package for the Caribbean and Central America includes a proposed US$61.5 million for regional health initiatives, subject to congressional approval. Emergency Transport: PAHO/WHO and national partners completed training for Surinamese health transport personnel, covering vaccine cold chains, specimen handling, infection prevention and chemical safety.

Regional Health Funding: A US$340.3 million Caribbean and Central America package includes a proposed US$61.5 million for the ASPIRE health initiative, subject to congressional approval. Suriname was among the countries represented at the US-Caribbean Dialogue. Youth Mental Health: PAHO reports suicide deaths among 10- to 24-year-olds in the Americas rose 38% from 2000 to 2021, urging earlier support in schools and communities. Suriname Health Preparedness: Health Minister André Misiekaba and a PAHO/WHO delegation visited Barbados to study emergency coordination, primary care and laboratory services, informing plans for Suriname’s health emergency operations centre and pandemic preparedness. Healthy Aging: A PAHO study found suicide deaths among adults 60 and older in the Americas more than doubled from 2000 to 2023, underscoring the need to build prevention and mental health support into healthy-aging services. Sex Education: Surinamese youth counselors say children need age-appropriate guidance early on about their bodies, boundaries and safer choices, from parents, schools and health experts.

Youth Mental Health: PAHO and the OAS are calling for stronger school and community support as suicide rates among people aged 10–24 across the Americas rose 38% from 2000 to 2021. Healthy Ageing: A PAHO study found suicide deaths among adults 60 and older more than doubled across the region between 2000 and 2023, underscoring the need for prevention and mental health support. Suriname Preparedness: Health Minister André Misiekaba’s delegation visited Barbados to study emergency coordination, primary care and laboratory services, informing plans for Suriname’s health emergency operations centre. Regional Health Funding: A US$340 million US package for the Caribbean includes a proposed US$61.5 million regional healthcare initiative; funding is subject to congressional action. Emergency Response: PAHO and national partners trained Surinamese health transport staff in safe handling of vaccines, specimens and other critical supplies. Youth Health: Surinamese counselors say sex education should start early, helping children understand boundaries and make informed choices.

Health Preparedness: Suriname’s health minister and PAHO/WHO officials visited Barbados to study emergency coordination, primary care and laboratory services, informing plans for a national health emergency operations centre and stronger lab capacity. Mental Health: A PAHO study found suicide deaths among adults aged 60 and older in the Americas more than doubled from 2000 to 2023, underscoring the need to build prevention and mental-health support into healthy-aging services. Regional Investment: The United States announced a Caribbean and Central America package of more than US$340 million, including US$61.5 million proposed for regional healthcare initiatives, subject to congressional action. Food Safety: Suriname’s agriculture minister warned farmers to follow pesticide rules, saying misuse can put consumers’ health at risk. Youth Health: Local youth counselors say sex education should start early, with guidance on body awareness, consent, boundaries and protection.

Health Preparedness: Suriname’s health minister and PAHO/WHO officials visited Barbados to study emergency coordination, primary care and laboratory services. Lessons will support plans for Suriname’s Health Emergency Operations Centre and strengthen labs and the health workforce. Regional Health Funding: The U.S. announced a Caribbean investment package that includes $61.5 million for a regional healthcare initiative; Suriname took part in the talks. Healthy Aging: PAHO reports suicide deaths among adults 60 and older in the Americas more than doubled from 2000 to 2023, even as the mortality rate stayed nearly stable, underscoring the need for prevention and support. Food Safety: Suriname’s agriculture minister warned farmers to follow pesticide rules, citing risks to consumers and promising action against violations. Youth Health: Surinamese youth counselors say sex education should begin early, covering body awareness, personal boundaries and protection from unsafe sex.

Health Preparedness: Suriname’s Health Ministry and PAHO/WHO visited Barbados to study emergency coordination, primary care and laboratory services. The lessons will help shape Suriname’s planned Health Emergency Operations Centre and strengthen outbreak readiness. Animal Health: Barbados has tightened vigilance and restricted poultry products after bird flu was confirmed at a commercial farm in Suriname; officials warned against smuggling poultry. Regional Health Funding: A US$340.3 million Caribbean and Central America package includes US$61.5 million for a regional health initiative, subject to congressional approval. Food Safety: Suriname’s agriculture minister warned farmers to follow pesticide rules, citing risks to consumers from unsafe use. Emergency Response: PAHO/WHO completed training for health transport workers in safe handling of vaccines, lab samples and other critical supplies. Youth Health: Surinamese counselors urged earlier, age-appropriate sex education to help children understand boundaries and protect themselves.

Avian Flu Alert: A bird-flu outbreak at a commercial poultry farm in Suriname has prompted Guyana and Barbados to heighten surveillance and restrict poultry products from the two countries. Emergency Response: PAHO/WHO and Suriname health partners completed training for drivers transporting vaccines, lab samples and other critical supplies, with instruction in cold-chain handling, infection control and emergency response. Youth Health: Surinamese counselors say sex education should start early, helping children understand their bodies, boundaries and how to seek reliable guidance. Food Safety: Agriculture Minister Mike Noersalim warned farmers to follow pesticide rules, stressing that misuse can put consumers’ health at risk. Regional Health: Suriname has joined the WHO Group of Friends of Traditional Medicine, which is discussing stronger safeguards and cooperation. The U.S. also announced $61.5 million for a regional health initiative, with Suriname among the participating countries.

Amazon Smoke: El Niño-driven fires have blanketed Manaus with hazardous smoke; schools and outdoor events were halted as the dry season continues. Avian Flu: Barbados heightened poultry controls after a bird-flu outbreak at a commercial farm in Suriname, while urging vigilance against smuggling. Emergency Health: PAHO/WHO and Surinamese partners completed driver training on safely transporting vaccines, lab samples and other supplies during outbreaks and emergencies. Food Safety: Suriname’s agriculture minister warned farmers to follow pesticide rules, citing risks to people who eat treated produce and promising action against violations. Youth Health: Counselors called for sex education to begin early, covering bodily autonomy, boundaries and protection from unsafe sex. Regional Health Funding: A U.S. Caribbean and Central America package includes $61.5 million for a regional health initiative; Suriname took part in the dialogue announcing the investment.

Regional Health Funding: The U.S. announced $61.5 million for Caribbean health initiatives, as part of a wider $340.3 million package; Suriname was among 15 countries represented at the regional dialogue. Traditional Medicine: Suriname joined WHO’s Group of Friends of Traditional Medicine, which is working to advance global cooperation and protect Indigenous and local communities’ knowledge. Bird Flu Alert: After an outbreak at a commercial poultry farm in Suriname, Guyana and Barbados raised their alert levels and tightened checks on poultry imports. Youth Health: Surinamese counselors say sex education should start earlier, giving children reliable guidance on body boundaries, consent and safer choices. Emergency Response: PAHO/WHO and national partners completed training for transport staff handling vaccines, lab samples and other critical supplies during health emergencies. Food Safety: Suriname’s agriculture minister warned farmers to follow pesticide rules, citing risks to consumers’ health.

Avian Flu: A confirmed H5N1 outbreak at a poultry farm in Suriname has prompted Guyana and Barbados to tighten surveillance and restrict poultry imports. Emergency Health Readiness: PAHO/WHO and local partners completed training for health transport workers, including safe handling of vaccines, lab samples and other critical supplies. Regional Health Funding: The U.S. announced $61.5 million for a Caribbean and Central American health initiative; Suriname was among the 15 countries represented at the dialogue. Youth Health: Surinamese youth counselors say sex education should begin earlier, with clear guidance on body safety, boundaries and preventing unsafe sex. Food Safety: Agriculture Minister Mike Noersalim warned farmers to follow pesticide rules, citing risks to people who eat treated fruits and vegetables.

Amazon Smoke: El Niño-driven fires have blanketed Manaus in smoke, with fine-particle pollution exceeding 135 micrograms per cubic meter; schools closed and outdoor events were canceled as Brazil’s fire emergency spread. Regional Health Funding: The U.S. announced $61.5 million for a Caribbean and Central American health initiative, part of a wider $340.3 million package that also covers connectivity and security. Bird Flu: Suriname’s poultry outbreak has prompted Guyana and Barbados to tighten surveillance and restrict poultry imports, underscoring the risk of regional spread. Emergency Response: PAHO/WHO and Suriname’s health partners completed training for drivers transporting vaccines, lab samples and other critical supplies, with a focus on cold-chain safety and outbreak response. Food Safety: Suriname’s agriculture minister warned farmers to follow pesticide rules, citing risks to consumers’ health. Youth Health: Counselors called for age-appropriate sex education to begin early, helping children understand boundaries and protect themselves.

Bird Flu Alert: A bird flu outbreak at a commercial poultry farm in Suriname has prompted neighboring Guyana and Barbados to tighten monitoring and restrict some poultry imports, raising the stakes for biosecurity and food safety across the region. Emergency Health Response: PAHO/WHO and national partners completed training for Suriname’s health transport teams, covering safe delivery of vaccines, lab specimens and other critical supplies during outbreaks. Food Safety: Agriculture Minister Mike Noersalim warned farmers to follow pesticide rules, saying misuse can put consumers’ health at risk and violations will bring consequences. Youth Health: Counselors are urging earlier, age-appropriate sex education so children learn about their bodies, boundaries and protection from unreliable information online. Regional Health Funding: The U.S. announced $61.5 million for a Caribbean and Central American health initiative, as part of a wider $340.3 million regional package that includes Suriname. Traditional Medicine: Suriname joined WHO’s Group of Friends of Traditional Medicine, which is discussing cooperation and the protection of Indigenous and local knowledge.

Regional Health Funding: The U.S. announced a $340.3 million package for the Caribbean and Central America, including $61.5 million for a regional health initiative. Suriname took part in the U.S.-Caribbean Dialogue. Bird Flu Alert: Suriname’s H5N1 outbreak has prompted neighboring Guyana and Barbados to tighten poultry surveillance and biosecurity measures. Emergency Readiness: PAHO/WHO and national partners completed training for Suriname’s emergency transport teams, covering safe handling of vaccines, lab samples and other critical supplies. Youth Health: Surinamese youth counselors say sex education should start earlier, with guidance on body awareness, personal boundaries and protection from unsafe sex. Food Safety: Agriculture Minister Mike Noersalim warned farmers to follow pesticide rules, stressing that misuse can endanger consumers. Traditional Medicine: Suriname has joined the WHO Group of Friends of Traditional Medicine, which is discussing cooperation and implementation of the global strategy.

Regional Health Funding: A U.S. package for the Caribbean and Central America includes $61.5 million for regional health initiatives; the announcement came during talks attended by Suriname. Traditional Medicine: Suriname has joined the WHO’s Group of Friends of Traditional Medicine, where members are discussing stronger standards and support for traditional practices. Youth Health: Surinamese counselors say sex education should start early, covering body knowledge, consent, boundaries and protection from unsafe sex. Bird Flu: An H5N1 outbreak in Suriname has prompted heightened poultry surveillance and import restrictions in neighboring Guyana and Barbados. Food Safety: Agriculture Minister Mike Noersalim warned farmers to follow pesticide rules, citing risks to consumers from contaminated produce. Maternal and Newborn Care: About 50 health workers took part in PAHO/WHO-supported training to improve collection and use of pregnancy and newborn health data.