PAHO MAKES SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO STRENGTHEN HEALTH SURVEILLANCE AND DIGITAL HEALTH SYSTEMS IN DOMINICA

Roseau, Dominica (June 15, 2026)- The Ministry of Health, Wellness and

Social Services has received a donation of twenty (20) computer units from the

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), comprising fifteen (15) laptops

and five (5) desktop computers, to support disease surveillance, data

management, and the strengthening of primary health care services across

Dominica.

The donation forms part of PAHO’s ongoing support to the Ministry’s health

information and surveillance systems and is expected to enhance data

collection, reporting, and analysis at primary health care facilities throughout

the country. It was made possible through the India-UN Development

Partnership Fund and the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services,

Dr. Kyra Paul, expressed appreciation for PAHO’s continued partnership and

support.

"We are very grateful for the continued support of PAHO. Today we've

received 20 pieces of equipment, including laptops and desktops, to support

surveillance activities," Dr. Paul said.

She emphasized the critical role of timely and accurate health information in

protecting public health and guiding decision-making.

"Real-time data and reporting on disease monitoring and outbreaks is

critical to ensure that the Ministry responds in a timely manner and to

support policy and operational decisions," she noted.

According to Dr. Paul, the equipment will be deployed primarily to health

centres across the island, where health data is generated and reported. The

donation also supports the Ministry’s preparations for the rollout of its Health

Management Information System (HMIS), which will modernize health data

management and improve efficiency throughout the health sector.

"The health centres can only move away from a manual-based system by

having a computer-based system where there is a lot more efficiency," she

added.

PAHO Country Programme Specialist, Nicole Slack-Liburd, said the

organization was pleased to support Dominica's efforts to strengthen health

systems and improve health outcomes.

"We are pleased to provide this donation of 15 laptops and 5 desktops to

support the EMTCT (Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission)

programme, which is part of the maternal and child health programme,

and by extension will strengthen the primary health care system here in

Dominica...We've also heard about the HMIS and how this will strengthen

and support the expansion of this programme, while contributing to the

digital strengthening of the system here in Dominica," Slack-Liburd stated.

She reaffirmed PAHO’s commitment to working closely with the Ministry of

Health and technical teams involved in the elimination of mother-to-child

transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B, as well as broader primary health

care initiatives.

The Ministry also acknowledged PAHO’s continued investment in building the

capacity of health professionals through specialized training initiatives.

One of the most recent trainings aimed to strengthen regional capacity to

produce, validate, analyze, and use high-quality mortality data for public health

decision-making.

Training participant, Reggina Thomas, highlighted the value of the training

programme.

"Not only will it be useful in the efficiency of my work in terms of data

analysis and processes, it will also be useful to share my knowledge with my

colleagues so that we can work together to improve data analysis and

different processes within the department and the Ministry as a whole,"

she said.

Thomas also thanked PAHO for its ongoing partnership with the Ministry.

"They are always willing to support the Ministry of Health, and we are

always willing and welcome them to support us as well," she added.

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services remains committed to

strengthening health information systems, enhancing disease surveillance, and

advancing digital transformation across the health sector to ensure better health

outcomes for all citizens.