GrenadaBreathe 2026 Conference Exceeds Expectations
The inaugural conference brought together 120 healthcare professionals to discuss respiratory health, and opens doors for new healthcare collaboration. Participants from Sint Maarten, Grenada, and other countries attended the two-day event.
Global Newsflix 2 min read
Approximately 120 healthcare professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders attended the Breathe 2026 conference, which took place on September 19 and 20 at the American University of the Caribbean in Cupecoy.
The conference was jointly organized by the Pharmacy Association of Sint Maarten and the Windward Islands Medical Association, and was accredited for 8 CME points.
Participants included nurses, pharmacy assistants, general practitioners, medical specialists, and other allied healthcare professionals from Sint Maarten, Saba, Grenada, Trinidad, Curaçao, Aruba, the Netherlands, and the United States.
Presentations covered various topics, including tuberculosis, RSV, pathogen surveillance, asthma, and COPD, as well as the effect of Saharan dust and air quality on health.
Dr. Martin Forde of St. George's University in Grenada presented on the health problems associated with Saharan dust exposure and opportunities to collect environmental data locally.
The conference has already led to possibilities for further collaboration, including connections between CARPHA and SMMC research teams working on RSV, and potential research with the University Medical Center Groningen on pharmacy demand for inhaled medication in relation to Saharan dust exposure.
Key facts
- 120 healthcare professionals attended the Breathe 2026 conference
- The conference was jointly organized by the Pharmacy Association of Sint Maarten and the Windward Islands Medical Association
- Presentations covered topics such as tuberculosis, RSV, and asthma
- The conference led to possibilities for further collaboration on respiratory health research
Three perspectives
Neutral
The Breathe 2026 conference brought together healthcare professionals to discuss respiratory health, and has opened doors for new collaboration. The conference's success will be followed by potential research partnerships and further discussions on respiratory health. The healthcare community will be watching for developments in this area.
Positive
The conference's focus on respiratory health has the potential to improve healthcare outcomes in the region. The collaboration between healthcare professionals and researchers could lead to new discoveries and treatments for respiratory diseases. The conference's success is a step forward for healthcare in the region.
Negative
The conference's limited attendance and scope may not be enough to address the complex issues surrounding respiratory health in the region. The lack of representation from some countries may also limit the conference's impact. Further action is needed to address the respiratory health challenges facing the region.
Your week in news, every Wednesday
The biggest stories of the week for your edition, in your inbox every Wednesday morning, your time. Free, and you can unsubscribe at any time.