THE CONSULTATION WAS AIMED AT INCREASING AWARENESS AMONG STAKEHOLDERS ABOUT THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FRAMEWORK FOR TIER-BASED LABORATORY NETWORK

Efforts to enhance disease surveillance, outbreak detection and response through stronger laboratory systems across the Eastern Caribbean is underway following the recent stakeholder consultation on establishing tier-based laboratory networks convened by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO). 

The consultation which took place at the Harbor Club Hotel, brought together stakeholders involved in healthcare and laboratory services across the Eastern Caribbean, representatives from sub regional reference laboratories and international partners. The consultation was aimed at increasing awareness among stakeholders about the requirements for the development of a framework for tier-based laboratory network aligned with the International Health Regulations (IHR) and Universal Health (UH). 

PAHO Advisor for Health Systems and Services Vishwanath Partapsingh spoke on the objectives of the stakeholder consultation. “One of the key objectives is to have that conversation with them, build understanding of what are the key tenants of a tier-based laboratory networks, what benefits can be added from them, what are your current capacities, how are countries currently setup for these and what are some of the next steps that can be done. The other one is about taking little steps on the side and looking at what is capacity and what advancements have been made in-capacity in countries for the International Health Regulations and alignment with the International Health Regulations. Also, it is about sharing experiences; countries that are at different points in the journey towards strengthening their laboratory networks and setting up tier-based laboratory networks, how can other countries learn from or build from those kind of experiences.” 

Medical Officer of Health Dr. Glensford Joseph says this consultation is very timely for Saint Lucia as it provides the opportunity to engage with other OECS member states as we work towards the strengthening of laboratory services. “This consultation will really give us the opportunity to review our laboratory framework and to identify areas of challenges that we can build towards establishing a more robust laboratory system to deliver services not only at the national reference laboratories and hospitals but also as we work towards tier-based laboratory approach as we prepare to rollout laboratory services at the community level, especially in our polyclinics.”

Dr. Joseph also noted that the Ministry of Health is appreciative of this consultation as it allows for the refining of policies and action plans for strengthening laboratory systems which will play a part in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and strengthening outbreak preparedness. “Having a very strong laboratory network especially in a tiered approach will allow the decentralization of services so that people can access services, especially in their communities and this will be very important as we continue to rollout our Universal Health Coverage package. More so, this consultation will allow for the strengthening of our national surveillance capacity as laboratory diagnosis is a critical component in allowing for the confirmation of pathogens that are contributing to outbreaks and for the better management of such an outbreak, it would allow us to better manage the patient as well as to bring the outbreak under control very swiftly.” 

PAHO is hopeful that through the stakeholder consultation, countries in the Eastern Caribbean such as Saint Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines will make stridestowards developing a tier-based laboratory system that will better serve their populations.  

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