Caribbean Health Leaders Gather In Miami
Caribbean healthcare leaders gathered in Miami for the inaugural KPMG Caribbean Healthcare Summit to discuss shared challenges and opportunities for greater regional collaboration across island health systems.
A spokesperson said, “Senior healthcare leaders from across the Caribbean gathered in Miami last week to explore common challenges and discuss how greater regional collaboration could help tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing island health systems, including chronic disease, workforce shortages, digital transformation and climate resilience.
“The conversations took place at the inaugural KPMG Caribbean Healthcare Summit [CariHealth 2026], which was presented by New Energy Events with KPMG Islands Group as Title Sponsor.
“The event attracted policy makers and healthcare professionals from 11 jurisdictions and highlighted opportunities for islands to share knowledge, strengthen resilience and improve patient care.
“Dr Edward Fitzgerald, Head of Healthcare & Life Sciences at KPMG Islands Group, opened a day of discussions on the future of healthcare in island jurisdictions. His central message was that smaller scale and geographically dispersed health systems face distinct challenges and need approaches designed for their circumstances rather than solutions imported without adaptation.”
“Island health systems are often asked to solve the same problems as larger countries, but with fewer resources, smaller populations and greater geographic constraints. That’s why sharing experience across the region is not just desirable, it’s essential,” Dr Fitzgerald said. He argued that this shared context creates a strong case for countries to learn from one another and apply successful ideas more quickly across the region.
“No single health system in the Caribbean has got everything right, but every health system has valuable experience to share,” he said. “If we can learn more quickly from one another and adapt successful approaches across the region, we have a real opportunity to strengthen healthcare for all our communities.”
A spokesperson added, “Six issues were identified as central to the future of Caribbean healthcare:
- 1. The growing burden of chronic disease and mental healthcare
- 2. Digital transformation
- 3. Prevention and wellness
- 4. Climate resilience
- 5. Workforce pressures
- 6. Financial sustainability.
“Together, they underline both the scale of the challenge and the value of a coordinated regional response.
“Chronic illnesses, particularly diabetes, are increasing demand on health services and require different models of care, investment and delivery. Greater emphasis on prevention and early intervention could improve outcomes while easing pressure on acute services.
“Digital health also offers a route to better access across dispersed populations. While many jurisdictions remain at an early stage of digital transformation, telemedicine and remote monitoring could help extend specialist care and improve efficiency.
“Workforce pressures were also a key focus, with discussions highlighting the need to look beyond recruitment alone. Discussions centered on how strengthening the Caribbean health workforce will require a greater focus on aligning education and training with future models of care, retaining talent, and creating stronger regional partnerships and pathways to build workforce capacity across island health systems.
“Resilience was another prominent concern. Caribbean health systems must be able to maintain essential services during extreme weather and other climate-related emergencies, making resilient health infrastructure and emergency preparedness increasingly important.”
“CariHealth showed there’s real appetite for a regional forum that is practical and specific to island health systems. We’re hugely grateful to KPMG Islands Group for their support.
“We’re equally grateful to the many Caribbean healthcare leaders who placed their confidence in CariHealth and joined us in Miami,” said Matthew Perks, CEO of New Energy Events.
A spokesperson added, “KPMG Islands Group’s healthcare advisory practice, established five years ago, has grown from three people to approximately 15 island-based professionals, and has supported over 60 healthcare projects across the region.
“The team also leads KPMG’s Global Center of Excellence for Island Healthcare, which provides a hub to share experiences and learning, bringing together dedicated professionals from Bermuda, the Caribbean, Crown Dependencies and the Mediterranean.
“For Caribbean health leaders, the broader conclusion was clear: no single jurisdiction holds every answer, but collective experience across island health systems is a valuable regional asset. Turning that experience into sustained cooperation could help build stronger, more accessible and more resilient healthcare for communities across the region.”
Photos courtesy of New Energy
Read More About
Category: All
