Eastern Caribbean Countries advance efforts to strengthen Laboratory Quality Systems for Health Security

Bridgetown, Barbados, 26 February 2025 (PAHO) - Health leaders, laboratory directors, and technical specialists from across the Eastern Caribbean convened in Barbados from 24-25 February 2026 to advance efforts to strengthen laboratory quality management systems (QMS) and reinforce the region's capacity for disease surveillance, emergency response, and overall health security.

The two-day technical meeting brought together representatives from Ministries of Health, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), accreditation bodies, and other regional partners. This initiative is part of the Pandemic Fund project for Eastern Caribbean Countries, which aims to build integrated and resilient public health systems capable of detecting and responding to current and emerging threats.

Laboratories across the Eastern Caribbean play a critical role in disease surveillance and the detection of priority health threats. However, many operate in resource limited environments with small populations, shortages of specialized personnel, and vulnerabilities to climate-related events and public health emergencies. To address these challenges, countries in the region have been adopting stepwise quality improvement approaches aligned with applicable international standards supported by PAHO and regional partners.

During the opening session, Dr. Songee Beckles, Director of the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory in Barbados, emphasized the importance of national and regional collaboration in building strong laboratory systems. She highlighted the Ministry of Health and Wellness' commitment to strengthening laboratory environments across Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, enhancing diagnostic and surveillance capabilities, and advancing progress toward accreditation. She also underscored the laboratory's next major focus, expanding antimicrobial resistance (AMR) capacity in collaboration with regional partners.

Dr. Jairo Mendez Rico, PAHO Advisor on Viral Diseases, noted that the meeting provided a timely opportunity to consolidate progress, identify gaps, and align regional and national priorities to strengthen surveillance and health security across the Eastern Caribbean.

Sessions addressed laboratory quality standards, stepwise improvement models, data-driven quality monitoring, policy alignment, mentorship strategies, and country case studies. A dynamic panel discussion showcased national experiences, while breakout sessions enabled participants to identify country-specific gaps and develop practical solutions to advance implementation of specific World Health Organization International Health Regulations (WHO IHR, 2005) core capacities.

A key takeaway from the meeting was the continued recognition of the need for stronger collaboration among Eastern Caribbean countries with regional and international partners to advance laboratory quality management systems.

"The meeting reinforces the commitment of Eastern Caribbean countries to advancing laboratory resilience, improving diagnostic capabilities, and strengthening integrated surveillance systems. Through coordinated support from PAHO, OECS, CARPHA, and partners, ECC Member States continue to progress toward sustainable laboratory systems essential for pandemic preparedness and public health protection," said Dr. Amalia Del Riego, PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries.