At the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory in Barbados, laboratory technologists play a crucial yet often unseen role in safeguarding public health. Their work involves identifying disease-causing organisms and determining effective antibiotics, which directly informs patient treatment, supports infection prevention, and strengthens national preparedness. This diagnostic function is essential in combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR), where accurate and timely laboratory results help ensure antibiotics are used appropriately and effectively.
Before receiving support through the Fleming Fund–backed programme, the laboratory faced several structural and operational challenges common across the region. These included ageing infrastructure, irregular access to laboratory reagents, limited standardisation in surveillance practices, and weak integration of data systems. These issues occasionally slowed diagnostic processes and made it difficult to consistently generate and share reliable AMR data, particularly during periods of increased demand such as disease outbreaks.
Through targeted support led by PAHO/WHO, the laboratory has significantly strengthened its microbiology capacity and operational systems. Key improvements include the standardisation of testing procedures, enhanced data reporting systems, and stronger coordination with partner laboratories across the Eastern Caribbean. In addition, laboratory staff have gained advanced technical skills, increased confidence in their work, and greater recognition as contributors to regional AMR surveillance efforts. Clinicians now benefit from more timely and reliable laboratory results, enabling better-informed treatment decisions and improved antimicrobial stewardship.
Looking forward, the laboratory aims to build on these achievements by sustaining capacity-building efforts, strengthening quality assurance systems, improving supply chain resilience, and expanding its molecular and genomic testing capabilities. These developments are intended to support Barbados’ evolving role as a regional reference centre for infectious disease diagnostics and AMR surveillance.
Overall, the initiative has reinforced the importance of strong laboratory systems in delivering high-quality AMR data. By improving surveillance capacity and diagnostic reliability, the Best-dos Santos Public Health Laboratory is helping clinicians provide better patient care while contributing to Barbados’ long-term public health security.
