The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is gearing up to host the 70th Annual Health Research Conference here in Guyana, in collaboration with the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Health.
The conference will take place from April 22-24, 2026 at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre under the theme “Innovations in Health.”
At a press conference at the Ministry of Health’s Brickdam Office on Friday, Executive Director of CARPHA, Dr Lisa Indar, said the 70th Annual Health Research Conference is more than just a conference, positing that it is a legacy of extensive research that has shaped policies and improved the lives of Caribbean people.
“70 years – seven decades of Caribbean led scientific research; seven decades of evidence shaping policies, strengthening systems and pioneering life saving research. This is more than just a conference, it is a legacy,” Dr Indar said.
The CARPHA Executive Director said the conference will take place in Guyana at a time when it continues to demonstrate exemplary leadership in innovations in health.
Dr Indar said when the first conference was first held in 1956 the Region, at the time, was experiencing overwhelming public health challenges – from limited resources to emerging health threats that no doubt required collaboration.
According to Dr. Indar, notwithstanding a mountain of challenges, Caribbean researchers rose to the challenge and persevered, laying the foundation for regional action on chronic diseases, infectious disease surveillance, prevention and control, environmental health and health systems strengthening among other critical areas.
Looking ahead, Dr Indar said “innovations in health” would be essential to solving health challenges, and most importantly, saving lives.
“Innovations in public health are not just scientific breakthroughs or clever technology advances; they are our defence, our strategy and our promise to future generations that we will do better than the generations before us. They are the engines that power healthier communities, stronger health systems and brighter futures. Public health innovations are the reasons we live longer, and safer lives than previous generations ever could. They transform health threats that once felt unstoppable into challenges we can overcome,” Dr Indar said.
It was explained that technologies such as rapid genome sequencing (rGS) and digital surveillance help countries detect and respond quickly to pandemics, climate related health risks and antibiotic resistance. AI, mobile reporting, and satellite data are also used to detect outbreaks faster than traditional methods.
“New vaccines, diagnostics and treatments help prevent diseases and detect problems early leading to fewer deaths, and disabilities. Rapid diagnostic tests for malaria, HIV, TB and COVID-19 allowed early detection and immediate treatment saving lives and cutting transmission rates,” she explained.
Dr Indar said technology has also been used to narrow the gap, and increase access to healthcare services even to those living in hard to reach areas.
Innovation, she added however, will play and even more leading role in health, as the Caribbean, and the world at large, experience unique challenges including geopolitical shifts that have resulted reduced funding for health.
Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony said during the conference, Guyana will share its experiences in the Healthcare Sector. He said in the area of infectious diseases, Guyana has made significant process, and is well on its way to eliminating at least five neglected infectious diseases by 2030.
“We believe that sharing that type of experience will help countries in the region to learn from what we are doing here, and perhaps if they have such challenges in their countries to be able to use some of the techniques we have used here in their respective countries,” the Health Minister said.
Guyana has also made significant advancements in the areas of telemedicine and digital health, he said. At present, the country is preparing to rolling out its Digital Health Record System.
“We have one of the most extensive telemedicine networks not just in the Caribbean but I am told one of the most extensive in the world because we have currently 81 telemedicine sites across Guyana, and in the next couple of months we will be adding 50 more sites. And I think the application of telemedicine, how we have been doing it would also allow other countries to learn from us,” Minister Anthony said.
Drone technology in the delivery of medicine, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in health are among other areas Guyana has tapped into, the Health Minister said.
The conference will bring together researchers and health experts from across the Caribbean, and Guyana, Minister Anthony, said, stands ready to share its experiences and success stories.
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