From 4 to 5 February 2026, the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) Representative for Barbados and Eastern Caribbean countries, Dr. Amalia Del Riego, visited Dominica, accompanied by Dr. Prabhjot Singh, Advisor for Health Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control. The visit aimed to strengthen national health priorities through strategic collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services (MOHWSS), focusing on advancing health system capabilities, supporting laboratory services, and promoting pandemic preparedness. Key highlights of the mission included signing the new Multi‑Country Cooperation Strategy (MCCS) 2026–2031, donating laboratory equipment to the National Laboratory, and discussing ongoing and upcoming activities under the Eastern Caribbean Pandemic Fund project.
During the visit, Dominica officially signed the MCCS 2026–2031, which outlines shared regional priorities in five strategic areas: health systems leadership and governance, communicable disease elimination, prevention and control of non-communicable diseases and mental health, person-centered care, and emergency and disaster management in the health sector. Discussions also addressed planned activities over the next two years to advance these priorities and strengthen health outcomes across the Eastern Caribbean.
PAHO/WHO contributed US$85,000 worth of essential laboratory equipment and reagents to the National Laboratory at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital. The donation included a Vitek 2 system with consumables, a vertical –80°C freezer, microcentrifuge, pipette kits, and additional supplies to enhance diagnostics and biosafety. The newly installed equipment has already improved laboratory efficiency, enabling rapid and reliable microbiological diagnostics, supporting appropriate antibiotic and antifungal therapies, and strengthening overall microbiology services.
The PAHO team also visited the new PAHO Satellite Office on the DCFH campus, currently under renovation, to provide improved support for program implementation in Dominica. The mission concluded with a technical working session led by Permanent Secretary Dr. Kyra Paul, focusing on ongoing and upcoming activities under the Eastern Caribbean Pandemic Fund project. The session included key MOHWSS officials, reinforcing regional collaboration for pandemic preparedness and health system resilience.
Overall, the visit highlighted PAHO/WHO’s commitment to advancing Dominica’s health priorities through strategic cooperation, enhanced laboratory capacity, and strengthened pandemic preparedness, ensuring better health outcomes for communities across the island.
