In January 2026, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), in partnership with the Caribbean Society for Biosafety and Biosecurity (CSBB), conducted a four-day mission in Saint Kitts and Nevis to strengthen biosafety and biosecurity in public and private laboratories. This initiative is part of the Pandemic Fund project for Eastern Caribbean Countries, which supports national efforts to meet the core capacities outlined in the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), with a focus on laboratory safety and security.
The mission assessed existing biosafety and biosecurity conditions, identified priority areas for improvement, and provided guidance to help the country achieve IHR laboratory core capacities. The team, including experts from CSBB and an international PAHO consultant, conducted site visits at public health laboratories such as Joseph N. France General Hospital and Alexandra Hospital, as well as private facilities including Avalon, Next Generation, and Quality Diagnostic Laboratory. These assessments will inform tailored recommendations, targeted training, and updated documentation to strengthen the national laboratory network.
Dr. Amalia Del Riego, PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, highlighted that a country’s ability to detect, prevent, and respond to public health threats relies on the strength of all its laboratory systems. By evaluating both public and private laboratories, Saint Kitts and Nevis is taking a comprehensive approach to biosafety and biosecurity, ensuring that all diagnostic facilities are equipped to operate safely, protect staff, and contribute to national preparedness against emerging health threats.
The broader Pandemic Fund project for Eastern Caribbean Countries aims to reduce the burden of disease, prevent deaths, and limit socioeconomic disruptions caused by public health emergencies. Using a collaborative One Health approach, the project focuses on strengthening surveillance, enhancing laboratory systems, and developing workforce capacity. It is jointly implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), PAHO/WHO, and the World Bank, alongside a multisectoral network that integrates human, animal, and environmental health to build resilient and sustainable systems across the region.
