Laboratories play a critical but often invisible role in public health by generating the data that guides how infections are diagnosed and treated. When this information is accurate, standardized, and consistently interpreted, it becomes essential in addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a growing global threat that makes many infections increasingly difficult to treat.
In January 2026, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) organized a virtual workshop bringing together laboratory professionals and public health teams from Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The training focused on the standardized use of the WHONET software, a key tool for managing and analyzing AMR data. Over two days, participants engaged in practical, hands-on learning sessions aimed at improving how laboratory results are recorded, interpreted, and used for surveillance and decision-making.
The workshop emphasized interactive learning rather than traditional lectures. Participants worked through real laboratory scenarios, learning to configure systems, manage datasets, and transform routine laboratory outputs into meaningful surveillance information. This approach helped strengthen practical skills that can be directly applied in everyday laboratory settings.
According to Dr. Marcelo Galas of PAHO/WHO’s AMR Special Program, the consistent use of WHONET is essential for strengthening AMR surveillance because standardized methods make resistance trends more comparable and actionable across countries. He highlighted that improved data quality not only supports national surveillance systems but also enhances understanding of patient-level health challenges behind the data.
To ensure long-term impact, the workshop also included follow-up exercises and continued technical support. This allowed participants to reinforce their learning over time and integrate new practices into routine laboratory workflows, ensuring that the training translated into sustained improvements rather than short-term gains.
For Haiti and the Dominican Republic, this initiative represents an important step toward strengthening the foundation of AMR surveillance systems. By focusing on shared tools, capacity building, and collaborative learning, laboratories are becoming better equipped to generate reliable data that supports stronger health system responses and protects the effectiveness of life-saving medicines.
More broadly, PAHO’s approach of promoting standardized tools within a framework of regional cooperation and South–South collaboration is helping Caribbean countries build more integrated and sustainable AMR surveillance systems. These efforts not only support national decision-making but also contribute to stronger regional health security across the Americas.
