On 16 February 2026, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Mental Health, Wellness and Religious Affairs in Grenada, in partnership with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), held a meeting to advance planning for the country’s Biennial Work Plan (BWP) 2026–2027. The session brought together senior leadership from both ministries and PAHO technical advisors to discuss national health priorities, current challenges, and strategic directions for continued technical cooperation.
During the meeting, officials focused on strengthening primary care through an integrated inter-programmatic approach. They proposed activities across key programme areas and explored strategies to maintain essential public health interventions amid reductions in financing. PAHO acknowledged that its overall budget has been significantly affected but reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Grenada, emphasizing that its technical capacity remains intact and that proven innovative strategies will continue to be employed. The ministries expressed appreciation for PAHO’s ongoing support in strengthening national health programmes.
A key discussion centered on the rising freight and procurement costs impacting access to medicines, vaccines, and medical supplies obtained through PAHO’s Regional Revolving Funds (RRF). Grenada highlighted the financial challenges posed by high shipping costs, which are particularly difficult for small states with limited purchasing volumes. PAHO technical advisors updated the group on regional efforts to address these concerns, including the creation of a working group with the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Pharmaceutical Procurement Service (OECS PPES) to explore long-term solutions such as bulk procurement to reduce shipping costs.
As a next step, PAHO and the ministries will consolidate proposed activities and associated cost estimates into a draft BWP, which will be shared for review and endorsement. This draft will form the foundation of the final 2026–2027 plan, guiding technical cooperation across priority health areas and supporting Grenada’s alignment with national strategies and budget cycles.
The Ministry of Health acknowledged PAHO’s critical role in strengthening Grenada’s health systems, particularly in primary healthcare, service delivery, and public health advancement. PAHO reiterated its dedication to working closely with both ministries to ensure sustained progress and the continued development of Grenada’s health agenda.
