Grenada presides over PAHO Subcommittee on Programme, Budget and Administration

Washington, D.C., 19 March 2026 (PAHO) - Grenada assumed the Presidency of the Subcommittee on Programme, Budget and Administration (SPBA) of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), marking a proud moment for the Caribbean, as Minister for Health, Hon. Philip Telesford, chaired the Subcommittee's 20th Session, held 18-19 March 2026 in Washington, D.C.

The SPBA is an auxiliary advisory body of PAHO's Executive Committee, responsible for reviewing and making recommendations on matters related to programme planning, budgeting, and administrative management. Its work supports the effective, transparent, and equitable use of resources to strengthen health systems across the Region of the Americas.

In his opening remarks, Minister Telesford highlighted the importance of prudent planning and responsible stewardship of resources, particularly in the context of ongoing global challenges, including economic uncertainty, rising costs, and geopolitical instability.

"Budgets are more than financial instruments; they are instruments of trust, sustainability, and impact," Minister Telesford said. "They determine whether our health systems can withstand the shocks, respond to emerging needs and deliver care where it matters most."

He encouraged Member States to engage in deliberations with clarity, transparency, and collaboration, underscoring that decisions taken by the Subcommittee have direct implications for health outcomes across the Region.

Minister Telesford also welcomed representatives of PAHO and Member States from across the Americas, including Panama, Ecuador, Canada, the United States of America, the Caribbean, and Central and South America, reaffirming PAHO's longstanding tradition of cooperation and collective responsibility.

During the session, Panama was elected Vice President of the SPBA, while Brazil was appointed Rapporteur. Grenada's role as President of the SPBA underscores the Caribbean's active contribution to regional health governance and its commitment to advancing effective planning, accountability, and sustainable health development within PAHO.