Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, after several years of online meetings, last week, the first-time members of the commonwealth advisory committee on Health (CACH) met in person, since 2019, to discuss and advance key areas of health priorities ahead of the 35th commonwealth health ministers meeting (CHMM) next month.
A select committee CACH comprises regional bodies, senior officials, and civil society representatives across the commonwealth. CACH provides guidance and advice to the commonwealth secretariat and Commonwealth health ministers on matters of public health concern, including emerging trends and threats to the Commonwealth, as well as guiding on the strategic direction of the health program of the Commonwealth.
Presently the countries represented on the CACH are Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Samoa, Bangladesh, Dominica, Mauritius, Malawi, and Solomon Island. The government of Kenya and Jamaica also sit on the CACH as incoming and outgoing CHMM chairs.
Chaired by the government of Canada, the 17 representatives’ efforts to strengthen the governance of CACH and its supported countries of the Commonwealth, as well as deliberate on the theme, ministerial statement, and key agenda of the upcoming 35th CHMM, which will be held on 20th May in Geneva, Switzerland under the theme “Getting universal Health coverage in the commonwealth on track for 2030”
This includes guidance on the role of digital health, mental health, primary healthcare, and pandemic preparedness in achieving universal Health Coverage.
Joshua Setipa, Senior Director of Strategy, Portfolio, Partnerships and Digital (SPPD) said Commonwealth is a “petri dish” that gives opportunities for new mechanisms, and methods to strengthen health systems and offer policy innovations.
While every country has its own challenges, Its own processes, and its own priorities. Commonwealth platform provides an opportunity to work together and improve the health and healthcare for all, to do this CACH is a key forum for us.
Josee Roy, CACU chair and director of multilateral relations said CACH chair for 2022-2023, the government of Canada was pleased to serve, to support and strengthen the role and impact. During this meeting, we thank all CACH members for their contributions and deliberations as well as their continued support to improve health outcomes for the Commonwealth family.
The meeting was held at London, Marlborough House, the Commonwealth secretariat headquarters from April 18 to the 20th.
It was the first time CACH members have met in person since before the Covid-19 pandemic in 2019.
In June 2023 the government of Canada completes its term as CACH chair. The chair for the 2023 -2024 period will be taken over by Brunei Darussalam.
