Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9), is attending the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) 11th Meeting of Ministers: Health in Grenada. Photo: Team of Reporters

Incoming Chair of the Council Ministers for Health and Grenada’s Minister for Health, Hon Phillip Telesford. Photo: Facebook

His Excellency Dr Didacus Jules, Director General of OECS said member states should view their challenges as opportunities. Photo: Facebook

Honourable Wheatley joined his OECS counterparts for the two-day meeting, which begins today, Wednesday, October 22, and will continue through Thursday, October 23, 2025. 

During the Opening Ceremony on Monday, October 20, 2025, at the Radisson Grenada Beach Resort, Incoming Chair of the Council Ministers for Health and Grenada’s Minister for Health, Hon Phillip Telesford, gave remarks where he opined on the meeting’s theme ‘Health Prioritisation, Strategies for Sustainable Solutions’.

Meetings guided by an urgent theme 

This single urgent theme, he said, will guide their meetings. 

“That phrase captures both our immediate task and our long-term vision to prioritise health, not as a line item, but as a foundation for prosperous, resilient societies 

The theme also highlights what Grenada and many other OECS islands are already doing, making healthcare delivery a strategic priority that places people first. 

The theme Hon Telesford added is a call to action “for all of us as one Caribbean, one OECS, one people, to join heads, hearts and hands in addressing this immediate task”.

The Outgoing Chair Hon Cassanni Laville, Dominica’s Minister for Health, Wellness and Social Services 

“Under his chairmanship, our region recorded meaningful gains in collaboration and capacity building, and we are grateful for his service,” Hon Telesford said. 

View challenges as opportunities- OECS Director General

His Excellency Dr Didacus Jules, Director General of OECS, in his remarks, called on the OECS to view the challenges being faced as opportunities. 

“It’s very easy to get lost in all of the noise of the challenges that we face…these challenges could strengthen our reserve because they have made it obvious that none of us can survive this alone.”

Dr Jules said it is only by building regional and national capacities that are at an accelerated pace that we can prevent, respond to and mitigate the impact of both natural and man-made crises

This week’s deliberations, he added, offer an important opportunity to reorient and reinforce our models of care. 

“That is to explore innovative, evidence-driven and context-appropriate solutions that respond to our unique realities as OECS Member States.”

The 38th OECS- Pharmaceutical Procurement Services (PPS) Policy Board Meeting took place on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. The OECS PPS handles the pooled procurement of medicines and medical supplies for OECS member states.