PAHO Makes Significant Contribution to Strengthen Health Surveillance and Digital Health Systems in Dominica

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 healthcare 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.