Foreign Affairs a Crucial Component of National Health Security – Ambassador Sealy Monteith

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Ambassador Sheila Sealy Monteith, has underscored the importance of a multisectoral approach to the country’s health security, involving foreign affairs.

She noted that public health emergencies can extend beyond the health sector into matters of foreign policy and diplomacy.

“They may require rapid engagement with foreign governments, diplomatic missions, international organisations, and regional institutions,” the Permanent Secretary highlighted.

“They may affect Jamaicans travelling or residing overseas, and foreign nationals within Jamaica. They can generate consular concerns, affect international travel and trade, and require the rapid exchange of credible information,” she pointed out.

Ambassador Sealy Monteith was addressing the recently concluded Voluntary External Evaluation (VEE) under the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005 held from September 9 to 18.

The VEE aimed to assess and strengthen national capacities under the International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005).

The IHR is an instrument of international law, adopted pursuant to Article 21 of the World Health Organization (WHO) Constitution, and is legally binding on 196 States Parties, including all the 194 Member States of WHO.

The regulations provide the legal framework for the prevention and response to the international spread of diseases.

The evaluation was conducted by an international multidisciplinary team led by Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Advisor for IHR, Dr. Tamara Mancero.

Ambassador Sealy Monteith commended the Health and Wellness Ministry for its foresight in having Jamaica undertake the assessment.

She hailed the exercise as a major step in strengthening the country’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond to public health emergencies, while reinforcing its preparedness to manage the international implications of such crises.

She highlighted the relevance of the evaluation within in the context of Jamaica’s ongoing post-disaster reconstruction and resilience-building efforts, following Hurricane Melissa.

Ambassador Sealy Monteith said the Foreign Ministry’s participation reflects its responsibility to support Jamaica’s international engagement and strengthen collaboration with bilateral, regional and international partners during public health emergencies.

She noted that an effective health security architecture requires more than strong national systems.

“It depends… also on mutual trust, solidarity, sustained collaboration, and cooperation among bilateral, regional, and international partners,” she said.