Linking with Caribbean health initiatives was on the top of Health Minister Nelson Bascome's agenda as he took part in the CARICOM Health Caucus.

Mr. Bascome was in Washington, D.C. over the weekend to participate in the meeting, which was held at the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) headquarters.

What it offers to Bermuda, according to Mr. Bascome, is a view into what is being done within the region and how the Island could benefit.

Mr. Bascome said: "The robust health agenda allowed me and Permanent Secretary Warren Jones an excellent opportunity to understand how PAHO works within the region and how Bermuda can link with wider regional initiatives.

"The Caucus and a variety of other meetings in the Washington area will certainly help us accomplish some of the things we are trying to achieve. I look forward to sharing what we learnt with my Cabinet colleagues."

Health Ministers from across the Caribbean met to determine priorities for the region in the coming year and discussions centred on issues including the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP).

PANCAP met last month to discuss legislation to present to the Caribbean Parliamentary Council — an organisation of the region's attorneys general — recommending the decriminalisation of homosexuality and commercial sex work in the region to tackle the problem of HIV/AIDS.

Carl Brown, director of PANCAP told the Jamaica Observer after the meeting last month that the wording of the policy does not say "decriminalise", instead it is phrased as allowing people the right to be of the sexual orientation they choose.

Other discussions over the weekend centred on the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC), the Caribbean Cooperation in Health Initiative (CCH), the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the Regional Strategic Plan on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and the establishment of the Caribbean Health Leadership Institute.

While in Washington DC over the weekend, Mr. Bascome and Premier Ewart Brown also attended the "Bridging the Gap: Africa, America and the Caribbean" workshop put on by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation African Globalism Committee (CBCF-AGC).

It is chaired by Rep Barbara Lee of California and Dr. Brown sat on the workshop panel which included experts from Africa, Europe and the Caribbean.

Dr. Brown said: "Because of the work started by David Allen in the early part of this decade with the African Diaspora Heritage Trail, Washington views Bermuda as ahead of the curve when it comes to linking the African Diaspora. Our country is an international leader in this area.

"Now there's a cross-oceans approach toward connecting people of African descent in a way that generates economic empowerment, cultural awareness and new policy."