This morning, the Minister of Public Health, Social Affairs, Elderly Care, and Addiction Management, Mrs. Drs. Melvin Wyatt-Ras, officially opened the DuCaPHEN 2026 conference in Aruba.
During her speech, the Minister emphasized the importance of regional cooperation, knowledge sharing, and shared preparedness to strengthen public health in the Dutch Caribbean.
DuCaPHEN, the Dutch Caribbean Public Health Expertise Network, is a regional network that promotes cooperation, knowledge exchange, and coordination in public health among the countries and islands of the Dutch Caribbean and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
This week’s conference brings together professionals, experts, epidemiologists, and public health partners from Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Maarten, and Sint Eustatius, alongside representatives from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, including the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).
In her message, the Minister indicated that public health challenges do not stop at borders. Infectious diseases, chronic illnesses, emergency preparedness, and other health-related challenges affect us all. For that reason, regional cooperation and information exchange are essential to protect and promote the well-being of our communities.
As the host country, Aruba welcomed all participants and reaffirmed its commitment to cooperation, preparedness, and resilience in public health. As a small island, Aruba recognizes that collaboration and the sharing of experiences are fundamental to responding to current and future public health challenges.
This week’s conference will focus on several important topics, including the prevention of infectious diseases, epidemiological surveillance, vector control, emergency preparedness, and the strengthening of regional collaboration.
Organized in collaboration between the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and the Department of Public Health Aruba (DVG), the conference provides a platform to share knowledge, strengthen existing relationships, and create new opportunities for cooperation between the islands.
DuCaPHEN continues to play an important role in strengthening regional coordination and preparedness, with the common goal of achieving healthier and more resilient communities throughout the Dutch Caribbean.
