The Bahamas has become the first CARICOM country to join the Alliance for Primary Health Care in the Americas.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) welcomed The Bahamas as the alliance’s newest member on Friday. PAHO leads the regional initiative with the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank.

The alliance helps countries strengthen primary health care. It also supports changes to health systems through investment, innovation and technical support.

Officials formalised The Bahamas’ membership during a signing ceremony in Nassau. Government officials joined representatives from PAHO, the IDB and the World Bank for the event.

The new partnership will support efforts to improve the country’s health system. It will also help align investments and technical support with national health priorities.

As part of the agreement, The Bahamas created a Consultative Mechanism for Primary Health Care. The Ministry of Health and Wellness will lead the new platform.

The mechanism will bring together government officials and the three alliance partners. They will work together on health investments, technical support and innovation.

Health and Wellness Minister Michael Darville welcomed the partnership. He said the goal is to create a stronger impact on the lives of Bahamians.

Darville said the alliance can help bring technical expertise, investment and innovation closer to the country’s needs. He also said it can support the implementation of The Bahamas National Health Strategy.

The new mechanism will also provide a permanent forum for policy discussions and technical cooperation.

Officials will use the platform to coordinate current and future health projects. They will also work to ensure those projects match national priorities.

The partnership is expected to support the wider transformation of The Bahamas’ health system through a primary health care approach.

The move gives The Bahamas a new regional platform to work with major health and development institutions. It also marks the country as the first CARICOM member to join the Alliance for Primary Health Care in the Americas.