Minister Brug welcomes PAHO/WHO delegation for National Health Consultation
November 12, 2025 8:29 pm
The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and
Labor (VSA) officially welcomed representatives of the Pan American Health
Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) to Sint Maarten on Wednesday,
November 12, 2025, for a two-day National Consultation focused on developing the
new PAHO/WHO Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) for Sint Maarten.
This consultation, will bring together key stakeholders from across the health sector to
identify national priorities and shape the direction of health cooperation for the period
2026–2031.
The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor Mr. Richinel Brug
highlighted the importance of the consultation, noting that “the last Country
Cooperation Strategy ended in 2017, and much has changed since then. The
experiences of recent years have reminded us how essential collaboration,
preparedness, and resilience are for a strong and responsive health system.”
The CCS serves as a roadmap for how PAHO/WHO will support Sint Maarten’s national
health agenda, aligning local priorities with global and regional frameworks such as the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Sustainable Health Agenda for the
Americas.
“This process is about ensuring that our health policies remain people-centered,
equitable, and aligned with our ‘Health in All Policies’ approach,” the Minister stated.
“By integrating health considerations across all sectors, we can strengthen the
wellbeing and quality of life for everyone in our communities.”
The Minister of VSA also expressed appreciation to PAHO/WHO for their continued
partnership and to all participating stakeholders for their dedication to improving health
outcomes and promoting development across the island.
“Together, we can build a healthier, more resilient Sint Maarten—one where every
individual has the opportunity to live a healthy and dignified life,” the Minister
concluded.
The two-day consultation will review progress made since 2017, assess emerging health
challenges, and establish shared priorities to guide future collaboration between the
Ministry and PAHO/WHO
