Carib Scope

分类： health

  • Belize Launches First Homegrown Dental Academy

    Belize Launches First Homegrown Dental Academy

    In a landmark step to strengthen Belize’s public health infrastructure and expand access to oral care training, the Central American nation has launched its first homegrown dental training institute, the Magazine Dental Academy, set to welcome its first cohort of students this summer.

    For years, Belizean residents hoping to enter the dental profession have been forced to travel abroad to complete accredited training, a pathway that comes with prohibitive costs that block many talented aspiring clinicians from pursuing their career goals. This new academy eliminates that barrier, keeping training local and making dental education accessible to a far broader pool of applicants.

    Founded by Dr. Osbert Usher, who also serves as the academy’s president, the institution has a dual mission: growing the domestic dental workforce and tackling the root causes of widespread chronic disease across Belize. Medical research has long established a clear connection between poor oral health and the development of serious systemic conditions including heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory illness – a link Usher aims to address through expanded prevention and community education.

    “In Belize, we do have a lot of systemic disease that plague our population. And most of these things initiate from the oral cavity. And as such, we want to educate more cadre of students so that they can go out eventually and treat and educate patient so that in their latter years they don’t end up with these systemic diseases,” Usher explained in an interview ahead of the academy’s official launch this Friday.

    The academy is designed to train mid-tier dental providers who can fill critical gaps in Belize’s current care system. Each 12-month training program will have capacity for 25 new students, allowing the institution to graduate a new cohort of qualified professionals every year. Usher estimates that Belize currently needs roughly 100 additional trained dental care workers to meet existing demand for oral health services that link directly to preventing long-term chronic illness.

    Graduates of the program will earn qualifications that allow them to carry out a wide range of core dental services: they will deliver oral health education to communities and local schools, treat early-stage gum disease, conduct screenings for cavities and other oral conditions, administer fluoride treatments, and refer patients with more complex health needs to fully licensed specialist dentists.

    Applications for the academy’s inaugural cohort, which is scheduled to begin classes on July 16, are still open to interested candidates. The initiative marks a foundational shift in Belize’s approach to public health, turning local training into a tool for long-term improvement in population health outcomes that extends far beyond oral care.

  • Dentist Opens First Academy in Belize, Hopes to Train 25 Students

    Dentist Opens First Academy in Belize, Hopes to Train 25 Students

    Small Caribbean nations like Belize have long grappled with gaps in accessible public health care, and oral health has remained one of the most underaddressed segments of the country’s medical system. Now, a local dentist is stepping forward to change that, launching the nation’s first dedicated dental training institution to build a workforce of skilled oral health providers and tackle widespread preventable disease.

    Dr. Husberto Shaw, the founder of the new Magazine Dental Academy, explains that poor oral health is far more than a cosmetic issue for Belize’s population. Many of the chronic systemic diseases that disproportionately impact communities across the country trace their origins back to untreated oral conditions, a connection that has been overlooked due to a severe shortage of trained providers. Shaw’s idea for the academy grew from years of witnessing how unaddressed poor dental hygiene snowballs into larger, life-altering health complications for Belizeans that could have been easily prevented with early intervention and education.

    Unlike any existing training program in the country, Magazine Dental Academy is designed specifically to train new oral health workers who can bring care and education directly to underserved communities. The 12-month intensive program will welcome an incoming cohort of 25 students each year, with the first class set to begin classes on July 13. As of the latest update, 10 aspiring students have already secured their spots, and academy organizers are working to fill the remaining 15 openings before the program kicks off.

    Shaw’s data estimates that Belize currently needs roughly 100 additional trained oral health workers to meet the current public demand for care. While closing this gap will not happen overnight, the launch of the academy marks a foundational milestone in a field that has had no formal localized training infrastructure until now.

    Graduates of the program will earn a nationally recognized certification in oral hygiene and oral health education, qualifying them to take on a range of critical roles across the country’s health system. Credentialed graduates will be able to lead oral health education workshops in schools and community centers, conduct routine screenings for cavities and gum disease, administer preventive fluoride treatments, and manage mild, early-stage gum disease. More complex procedures and advanced cases will be referred to fully licensed dentists, creating a tiered care system that expands overall access rather than overextending new providers.

    To ensure students receive well-rounded, high-quality training, the academy’s faculty includes nine experienced practicing dentists, with additional support from specialized medical professionals including social workers, registered nurses, and a registered dietician. This interdisciplinary approach reflects the academy’s core mission: that oral health is inherently connected to overall physical and social well-being, requiring a holistic approach to education and care.

    For Belize’s public health landscape, the launch of Magazine Dental Academy represents more than just a new training school—it is a long-overdue step toward reducing health disparities and building a more resilient, accessible health system for all Belizeans.

  • Lupus awareness month activities strengthen national support

    Lupus awareness month activities strengthen national support

    At the close of May’s annual Lupus Awareness Month, the St. Lucia Arthritis and Lupus Association has issued a public note of gratitude to community members, institutional partners, and volunteers who turned out for a packed slate of outreach, fundraising, and educational events centered on the 2024 theme “Stronger than Lupus: Thriving Through Awareness.”

    The month of coordinated activities kickstarted more than a week before the official observance, with a community-focused “Tea for Hope” tea party organized by Sister Rufina Donat and student clubs from Saint Joseph’s Convent School on April 25. The gathering did more than bring community members together: it generated critical funding that will underwrite the association’s ongoing work, including patient advocacy, public education campaigns, and direct support services for people navigating lupus and other autoimmune conditions.

    As May got underway, the association hosted its signature educational event: a public town hall titled “Turning Awareness into Action,” held on May 9. The forum brought a diverse range of voices to the stage, including practicing healthcare providers, family caregivers, and individuals living with lupus, each sharing personal experiences and professional insights that demystified the chronic condition. Attendees left the discussion with actionable guidance for managing lupus, while open dialogue around the daily social, physical, and economic challenges faced by patients helped bridge knowledge gaps for members of the general public who attended.

    Later in the month, on May 24, the association held its third annual Strides for Lupus community walk. Despite uncooperative, unfavorable weather that might have dampened turnout, hundreds of committed participants showed up to walk in solidarity, turning out in force to demonstrate their backing for the lupus community and advance the association’s awareness goals.

    One of the most visible cross-community successes of the month was the association’s “Put on Purple Fridays” initiative, which invited local schools, businesses, and organizations across all sectors to wear purple, the official color of lupus awareness, every Friday during May. The participation rate far exceeded expectations, with groups from every corner of St. Lucian society joining the campaign to raise visibility and signal public support for people affected by lupus.

    Reflecting on the collective success of the month’s programming, Shawnette Gabriel, vice president of the St. Lucia Arthritis and Lupus Association, noted that the organization was deeply encouraged by the unprecedented level of community engagement seen throughout the observance. “Together, we continue to build a more informed, compassionate, and supportive community for those living with lupus,” Gabriel shared in a statement following the conclusion of events.

    The association extended special thanks to its corporate sponsors, registered members, volunteer teams, and community partners, whose contributions of time, funding, and resources made all the month’s activities possible. It also reaffirmed its core organizational mission: to expand public understanding of lupus, arthritis, and other related autoimmune conditions, deliver ongoing support to patients and their families, and advocate for expanded, improved access to care across St. Lucia.

    Looking ahead, Gabriel emphasized that the momentum built during Lupus Awareness Month will serve as a foundation for the association’s work throughout the entire year, rather than ending with the close of May. She encouraged members of the public to carry the momentum forward by staying informed about autoimmune conditions, continuing to center patient voices, and maintaining their support for the lupus community long after the annual awareness observance concludes.

  • Formal Establishment of the Nursing Informatics Advisory Committee (NIAC) to Govern Nursing Engagement in the National HIS/EHR Implementation

    Formal Establishment of the Nursing Informatics Advisory Committee (NIAC) to Govern Nursing Engagement in the National HIS/EHR Implementation

    In a landmark step toward advancing its ambitious national digital health transformation, the Ministry of Health of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis announced the formal creation of the Nursing Informatics Advisory Committee (NIAC) on June 24, 2026. The new specialized body will operate as a subcommittee under the Institutional Nursing Services Clinical Governance Committee, with oversight spanning both institution-based and community-focused health nursing services across the country.

    The launch of NIAC marks a defining milestone in the federation’s years-long effort to modernize healthcare delivery via a fully integrated Hospital Information System (HIS) with an embedded Electronic Health Record (EHR) platform. This initiative stands as one of the most technologically impactful overhauls in the nation’s healthcare history, with rollout already underway across all public and clinical health settings. Local technical partner the St. Kitts Nevis Robotics Association has supported the project from its early stages, providing critical technical guidance, workforce training, and capacity-building resources to ensure successful implementation.

    NIAC’s formation was not arbitrary: nursing represents the largest segment of the nation’s clinical workforce, with frontline professionals holding primary, ongoing responsibility for core patient care functions including health assessment, individualized care planning, medication administration, and continuous clinical monitoring. To guarantee that the new digital system meets the real-world needs of both clinicians and patients, nursing leadership required formal, authoritative representation at every stage of the HIS/EHR rollout — from initial negotiations with technology vendors and system configuration to user testing, full deployment, and iterative post-launch improvement. The newly established committee fills this gap by serving as the official designated clinical authority for all nursing-related components of the digital transformation.

    Under its formal mandate, NIAC will verify that the digital platform and supporting infrastructure align with evidence-based nursing workflows, protect the integrity and confidentiality of patient health data, adhere to all Ministry of Health regulatory requirements, and uphold the strict clinical excellence standards set by the Institutional Nursing Services Clinical Governance Committee. The committee will maintain close, ongoing collaboration with the Ministry’s internal information technology team, the St. Kitts Nevis Robotics Association, and all relevant clinical departments to facilitate a smooth, clinically validated transition to digital health record management.

    Beyond its direct operational responsibilities, the creation of NIAC reflects two core commitments shared by the nation’s nursing community and public health leadership: first, nursing’s longstanding dedication to proactive clinical governance, patient safety, and the responsible, evidence-driven adoption of health technology. Second, it underscores the Ministry of Health’s explicit recognition that sustainable, meaningful digital transformation in healthcare requires leadership from frontline clinicians. As the primary point of contact for patient care, the nursing profession must play a central role in designing the systems that document, coordinate, and improve care delivery across the country.

    As the HIS/EHR rollout continues to progress across the federation, the Ministry of Health has expressed confidence that NIAC’s clinical leadership will be instrumental in ensuring the nation’s new digital health infrastructure meets the highest global standards for functionality, patient safety, and people-centered care. Additional information about the committee’s membership, formal terms of reference, and full implementation workplan is available to the public upon request from the Office of the Principal Nursing Officer.

  • Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis Welcomes Renowned Interventional Cardiologist

    Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis Welcomes Renowned Interventional Cardiologist

    BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – June 24, 2026 – The Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis has opened a new era of accessible cardiac care for its citizens, with the official onboarding of Dr. Angel Luis Olivera, a globally respected Cuban interventional cardiologist and academic, to lead the nation’s first full public cardiology service at the main Joseph N. France (JNF) General Hospital.

    With 40 years of specialized clinical practice under his belt, Dr. Olivera ranks among the most experienced cardiovascular experts in the Caribbean region. His arrival marks a landmark achievement in the federation’s long-term goal of bringing world-class specialist care directly to local communities, eliminating the need for many patients to travel abroad for routine and advanced cardiac diagnosis and management.

    Over the coming weeks, Dr. Olivera will roll out a comprehensive suite of cardiology services in phased stages at JNF General Hospital. The new offerings include twice-weekly outpatient cardiology clinics, 24/7 inpatient cardiac coverage, in-house echocardiograms for both admitted patients and emergency department cases, advanced diagnostic imaging via CT angiograms, continuous 24-hour Holter heart monitoring, and pacemaker insertion procedures for eligible patients. Beyond immediate clinical services, he will also guide the Ministry of Health in planning for a future cardiac catheterization facility, a critical next step for delivering full-spectrum advanced cardiac care locally.

    A seasoned professor with a deep commitment to medical capacity building, Dr. Olivera will also prioritize training the next generation of local cardiac care providers. He will lead weekly continuing medical education (CME) sessions for all involved medical and nursing staff, centered on evidence-based cardiology fundamentals and modern best practices. He will also deliver specialized hands-on training in echocardiography and other diagnostic techniques for general practitioners and internal medicine physicians. Additionally, he will spearhead the development of standardized clinical protocols for acute cardiac emergency management, ensuring consistent, rapid, evidence-based care across all hospital departments.

    Dr. Olivera’s recruitment is a core component of the federation’s coordinated national strategy to address the rising burden of chronic non-communicable diseases, spearheaded by Honourable Prime Minister and Minister of Health Dr. Terrence Drew. He joins a growing network of newly recruited specialist clinicians that includes a vascular surgeon, endocrinologist, intensive care specialist, additional nephrologist, neurologist, emergency care specialist, and additional urologist. This multidisciplinary team, supported by expanded hiring of specialist nurses, general practitioners and allied health technical staff, is focused on integrating prevention, early screening, and comprehensive treatment for chronic conditions ranging from heart attacks and strokes to peripheral vascular disease and end-stage renal disease.

    Unlike previous models that relied almost entirely on overseas referrals for cardiac care, this new integrated approach prioritizes proactive identification of at-risk patients, placing prevention at the center of the nation’s public health agenda.

    “The arrival of Dr. Olivera marks a defining moment in the history of healthcare in St. Kitts and Nevis,” the Ministry of Health said in a statement. “For the first time, our citizens will have access to a full, in-country cardiology service in the public service. This is not simply the addition of a specialist — it is the beginning of a new chapter in how we care for the heart health of our nation.”

    Dr. Daveen Wilkin, Medical Chief of Staff at J.N.F. General Hospital, noted that while a full cardiac catheterization lab is still in the planning stages, Dr. Olivera’s appointment lays critical groundwork for that future milestone. “This appointment lays the groundwork for that future — building expertise, informing referral pathways, and improving how we diagnose and manage cardiac patients today,” Wilkin explained. “My hope is that patients receive earlier, more accurate diagnosis and better-coordinated care, even when advanced procedures still require travel abroad. Every improvement in assessment and timing can mean a safer journey and a better outcome. Looking ahead, I hope this role is the beginning of a roadmap toward establishing catheterization services here at home — so that, in time, our patients won’t need to leave their island to receive life-saving cardiac care. This is a step forward, and a promise of more to come.”

    The Ministry of Health extended a warm official welcome to Dr. Olivera, noting that his decades of experience and commitment to clinical excellence will deliver lasting benefits to the health and well-being of people across St. Kitts and Nevis for years to come.

  • Prime Minister and Minister of Health Dr. the Honourable Terrence Drew Visits JNF General Hospital Private Ward Ahead of Imminent Reopening

    Prime Minister and Minister of Health Dr. the Honourable Terrence Drew Visits JNF General Hospital Private Ward Ahead of Imminent Reopening

    BASSETERRE, St. Kitts and Nevis – June 24, 2026 – On Wednesday afternoon, Prime Minister and Minister of Health Dr. the Honourable Terrence Drew carried out an on-site inspection of the newly renovated Private Ward at the Joseph N. France (JNF) General Hospital, marking the final step ahead of the facility’s upcoming reopening to patients.

    The 15-room private ward has been out of general public use since June 2022, when it was converted into a dedicated isolation and treatment center for COVID-19 patients during the peak of the global pandemic. Once the acute phase of the pandemic ended later that summer, government health authorities made the decision to launch a full-scale refurbishment project rather than reopening the space immediately, with the goal of updating the facility to meet 21st-century clinical and patient comfort standards.

    The scope of the renovation work carried out over the past year is far-reaching. Structural upgrades, completed under contract by Taiwan-based construction firm Kuan Jun, included a full replacement and repair of the ward’s roof. Interior improvements spanned a complete repaint of all patient and common areas, as well as professional mould remediation to ensure the facility meets strict global environmental health benchmarks.

    Every one of the ward’s 15 private patient rooms has been fully updated with modern furnishings and high-end amenities, including flat-screen televisions, fully renovated en-suite bathrooms with new fixtures, premium linens, guest robes, and an expanded selection of personal care and hygiene products. The entire ward now features full air conditioning for consistent patient comfort, and common spaces showcase a curated collection of landscape photography highlighting the natural beauty of St. Kitts and Nevis, donated by the country’s Ministry of Tourism.

    Following his inspection tour, Prime Minister Drew confirmed he was pleased with the quality of the completed work, and emphasized the broad importance of the reopening for both local communities and the country’s tourism sector. Officials prioritized getting the ward operational before the start of the upcoming peak tourism season, as private inpatient care is a critical service for international visitors to the Federation. Equally, the reopening restores a long-awaited private hospitalization option that has been unavailable to local citizens and residents for four years.

    The multi-million dollar renovation project was led by Mrs. Lindsey Maynard, Director of Operations and Acting Director of Health Institutions at JNF General Hospital, who oversaw every phase of the work over the past 12 months. The Ministry of Health has publicly recognized Maynard and her entire project team for their commitment and careful work that brought the project to completion on schedule.

    In response to public questions about the safety of the facility, given its former use as a COVID-19 treatment area, the Ministry of Health issued a clear, unambiguous assurance: the ward is completely safe for patient care. Since its closure in 2022, the facility has undergone rigorous professional deep cleaning every three months. Additionally, the hospital’s Infection Control Team has conducted quarterly environmental swab testing across all surfaces of the ward to detect any trace of concerning pathogens. Across four years of ongoing monitoring, no swab test has returned a positive result, and the facility has consistently maintained the highest possible standards for infection prevention and control.

    The only remaining task before the formal opening is the finalization of nursing staffing allocations for the ward, a step health officials expect to complete within the next week. Once staffing is confirmed, the government will schedule an official commissioning and opening ceremony. The Ministry of Health has asked members of the public to follow official channels for upcoming announcements of the opening date and event details, marking a key milestone in the modernization of healthcare services across the Federation.

    The Ministry of Health reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to upgrading and expanding healthcare infrastructure across St. Kitts and Nevis, and said it looks forward to welcoming the first patients to the newly renovated Private Ward in the coming weeks.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Welcomes Adoption of OAS Declaration on Improving Mental Health in the Americas

    Antigua and Barbuda Welcomes Adoption of OAS Declaration on Improving Mental Health in the Americas

    A historic milestone for public health across the Western Hemisphere was reached this week at the 56th Regular Session of the Organization of American States (OAS) General Assembly, where member states formally adopted the groundbreaking Declaration on Improving Mental Health in the Americas. The initiative, which traces its origins to a regional conversation first launched by Antigua and Barbuda during the previous General Assembly that the Caribbean nation hosted, has been widely celebrated as a long-overdue step forward for a long-neglected global health priority.

    In an official statement delivered to the assembly by Sir Ronald Sanders, head of Antigua and Barbuda’s delegation, the small island nation extended full praise to the OAS General Assembly for the historic adoption of the text. Sir Ronald emphasized that mental health is far more than a narrow medical concern: it forms a foundational pillar of individual well-being, social cohesion, and long-term sustainable development across all societies in the region.

    Outlining the origins of the push for regional action, Sir Ronald confirmed that the conversation was launched at the request of Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister, the Honourable Gaston Browne, during the previous gathering of OAS members. From its inception, the initiative was rooted in the core belief that strong mental health systems are non-negotiable for building resilient, progressing societies across the hemisphere.

    The statement made clear that growing regional pressures have made urgent collective action impossible to ignore. Recurring climate-driven disasters, persistent economic vulnerability, widespread social disruption, and the lingering aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic have all compounded existing strain on mental health and exposed gaps in care systems across the Americas. These shared challenges, Antigua and Barbuda stressed, demand coordinated, cross-border cooperation rather than isolated national responses.

    A key framing advanced by the delegation is the recognition that mental health intersects with multiple critical policy areas, not just public health. It is equally a development issue, an education priority, a labour market concern, and a fundamental human right. Against this backdrop, the new declaration stands as a landmark collective commitment from OAS member states to deepen cross-border collaboration, exchange evidence-based best practices, expand equitable access to high-quality mental health services, and advance people-centred policy frameworks centered on prevention, ongoing care, and full recovery.

    Antigua and Barbuda also specifically highlighted the declaration’s inclusive language, which prioritizes the unique needs of vulnerable persons and marginalized groups and enshrines inclusive, accessible approaches to national mental health policy.

    Speaking to the significance of the moment, Sir Ronald framed the adoption as a critical turning point after decades of inaction. For far too long, he noted, mental health has ranked among the most neglected public health challenges across the hemisphere. Today, the declaration sends a unified, clear message: that mental health is integral to human dignity, collective well-being, and sustainable development, and investing in mental health systems is an investment in healthier, more resilient communities across every corner of the Americas.

    As the nation that first initiated the regional conversation that led to this milestone, Antigua and Barbuda expressed deep pride in the outcome. The delegation reaffirmed the country’s ongoing commitment to working alongside all OAS member states to turn the political commitment made at the Panama session into tangible, on-the-ground action that improves lives across the region — particularly for those who have long been unseen, misunderstood, and left behind by existing mental health systems.

  • Saint Lucia signs eye care partnership that could help 50,000 people

    Saint Lucia signs eye care partnership that could help 50,000 people

    On June 18, 2026, Saint Lucia Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre formalized a new public health partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the island’s national government and U.S.-based nonprofit organization RestoringVision. The agreement, which received formal cabinet approval on June 1 of the same year, aims to dramatically expand access to critical vision care services across Saint Lucia by integrating presbyopia screening and affordable corrective eyewear into the country’s existing public health infrastructure.

    The core mission of the collaboration is to advance the goals of the Prime Ministerial Vision Initiative, a national project focused on closing gaps in unaddressed vision impairment across the island. Through the partnership, RestoringVision has committed to donating up to 50,000 near-vision eyeglasses to eligible Saint Lucian residents, alongside covering shipping logistics, providing specialized training for local healthcare workers, and delivering ongoing technical support for presbyopia screening protocols. The Government of Saint Lucia, for its part, will lead national rollout of the program, integrate new vision care services into public primary health platforms, coordinate local staff training, and oversee systematic data collection and progress reporting.

    The initiative will launch with a 12-month pilot program, delivered through existing primary healthcare facilities and a network of community health workers to reach underserved populations in both urban and rural areas. Following the pilot phase, the two partners will conduct a joint monitoring and evaluation process to measure the program’s public health and social impact, identify operational gaps, and refine service delivery models for potential long-term expansion.

    Presbyopia, an age-related degenerative condition that impairs close-up vision, affects millions of adults globally and is especially widespread among older populations in low- and middle-income countries. Without access to affordable corrective eyewear, the condition can severely limit individuals’ ability to work, complete daily tasks independently, and maintain overall quality of life. By addressing this unmet need, the partnership aims to remove a key barrier to economic participation and well-being for thousands of Saint Lucians.

    In comments following the signing ceremony, Prime Minister Pierre framed the collaboration as a tangible, high-impact investment in the long-term well-being of all Saint Lucians. He noted that improved access to vision care directly boosts individual independence and workforce productivity, generating cascading benefits for households and communities across the island. With this agreement, Saint Lucia becomes the latest nation to partner with RestoringVision, joining a growing global network of countries implementing community-focused, sustainable models to expand access to affordable vision care.

    The MoU will remain in effect for an initial 12-month term aligned with the pilot program. Public health officials from both sides emphasize that the initiative represents a shared commitment to building more inclusive, resilient public health systems in Saint Lucia, through locally rooted, sustainable solutions that address critical unmet health needs.

  • Dominica expands disease detection with tntroduction of Leptospirosis PCR testing

    Dominica expands disease detection with tntroduction of Leptospirosis PCR testing

    Dominica’s public health infrastructure has marked a key milestone with the launch of domestic Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing for leptospirosis at the National Laboratory under the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Social Services. This development cuts the island nation’s reliance on overseas diagnostic services and represents a major step forward in strengthening local disease response capabilities.

    In an official statement from the Ministry, health authorities confirmed that the new in-house testing capacity transforms the country’s ability to identify leptospirosis, a potentially severe bacterial infection that spreads through contaminated water, with greater speed and precision. Prior to this rollout, all samples from suspected leptospirosis cases had to be shipped abroad for testing, creating delays that slowed treatment and public health intervention.

    With the newly implemented Molbio PCR testing platform now operational at the national lab, clinical teams can access real-time diagnostic results, a shift that directly enables faster administration of targeted treatment, improves patient prognosis, and allows public health teams to roll out containment measures rapidly to stop further transmission of the infection.

    Lab Superintendent Eric Carbon, who leads the facility’s modernization push, framed the introduction of leptospirosis PCR testing as a watershed moment for the country’s laboratory services. “The Molbio Testing Platform has drastically expanded our national lab’s capacity to test for a range of high-priority diseases, including leptospirosis. We no longer have to send samples overseas for diagnosis, and real-time processing lets us deliver results in a fraction of the previous timeline. These are transformative improvements for our lab,” Carbon explained.

    He added that the new capability underscores the lab’s growing ability to detect both emerging and re-emerging pathogens that pose risks to population health, filling a critical gap in Dominica’s disease surveillance network.

    The launch of leptospirosis testing is just one component of a broader, multi-stage initiative to upgrade molecular diagnostics and disease surveillance across the entire country. Carbon confirmed that additional PCR testing services are already in the pipeline to further expand the lab’s testing footprint. In the coming phase, the lab will roll out PCR testing for vaccine-preventable diseases like measles, expand its gastroenteritis testing panel to include varicella, and add detection for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to its existing respiratory pathogen testing menu.

    These new services will complement the lab’s already established PCR testing capabilities, which cover a wide range of high-risk pathogens: arboviruses including dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and Oropouche; respiratory viruses such as influenza and COVID-19; and other priority pathogens including monkeypox and tuberculosis.

    Health officials emphasize that this steady expansion of PCR testing capacity reflects the Ministry of Health’s ongoing commitment to investing in cutting-edge diagnostic infrastructure and boosting the country’s overall preparedness to handle public health emergencies. To fully leverage the new capability, the National Laboratory is urging all clinical providers across the country to continue collecting and submitting specimens from any suspected communicable disease cases included in national surveillance programs. The lab has particularly highlighted the importance of testing samples from patients presenting with unexplained fevers, respiratory symptoms, rashes, and other conditions that signal potential public health risks.

    With Atlantic hurricane season underway, Carbon also issued a public advisory warning that increased rainfall and standing water — common conditions during storm season — create ideal environments for leptospirosis transmission. He specifically called on farmers and other high-risk groups to take targeted precautions to lower their chance of exposure and infection.

    Closing out the announcement, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services reaffirmed its long-term commitment to delivering accessible, high-quality diagnostic services through the National Laboratory. These investments, the ministry noted, support data-driven public health decision-making and advance the core mission of protecting the health and well-being of every resident of Dominica.

  • Rotary Club of Dominica installs water fountains at two primary schools to support healthy living initiative

    Rotary Club of Dominica installs water fountains at two primary schools to support healthy living initiative

    A community-led public health initiative aimed at curbing rising childhood obesity rates has reached a major milestone in Dominica, with the Rotary Club of Dominica officially rolling out new drinking water infrastructure at two primary schools across the country.

    On June 15, 2026, the organization formally handed over custom-built water fountains to the administrations of Roseau Primary School and Trafalgar Primary School during two dedicated campus ceremonies. This installation is the latest addition to the Rotary Club of Dominica’s flagship Childhood Obesity Programme, a long-running project designed to embed healthy habits in children from an early age.

    The core goal of the new water fountain project is simple but impactful: to make clean, free drinking water easily accessible to students, encouraging them to reach for water instead of the sugary soft drinks and sweetened beverages that contribute to weight gain, metabolic issues, and long-term health risks. By expanding access to water on school grounds, the initiative aligns with national public health strategies that prioritize reducing childhood obesity prevalence and improving overall youth well-being across the island.

    During the handover events, Kerissa Shillingford, a nutritionist from Dominica’s Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services, addressed assembled students to talk through the critical benefits of consistent hydration and intentional, healthy food choices. Shillingford stressed that consistent water intake and balanced nutrition are foundational to lowering a child’s risk of developing obesity and other preventable non-communicable diseases later in life, urging students to prioritize water over sugary alternatives starting today.

    To amplify the impact of the new fountains, the Rotary Club also distributed reusable water bottles to every student at the two participating schools. The durable bottles are designed to let children refill their water throughout the school day, whether moving between classes, attending recess, or participating in after-school activities, making consistent hydration far more convenient for young learners on busy campuses.

    Dr. Jermaine Jewel Jean-Pierre, president of the Rotary Club of Dominica, opened the ceremonies by extending sincere gratitude to all partners that made the project possible. He specifically recognized the collaborative support from school administrators, teaching staff, participating students, and the Ministry of Health, which has aligned its public health outreach with the club’s Childhood Obesity Programme from its launch.

    Dr. Jean-Pierre also highlighted that the entire project was funded through proceeds from the Rotary Club’s Annual Carnival Sunday Souse and Punch Fundraiser, one of the organization’s most prominent annual community fundraising events. He further expressed the club’s appreciation for the sponsors, event patrons, and local community supporters whose generous donations turned the infrastructure project from a plan into a tangible, usable resource for local students.

    The Childhood Obesity Programme remains the Rotary Club of Dominica’s top community health priority. Beyond the installation of physical infrastructure, the program combines educational outreach, public awareness campaigns, and practical on-the-ground interventions to help children adopt better nutritional habits, increase daily physical activity, and maintain healthy lifestyles into adulthood.

    Moving forward, the Rotary Club of Dominica reaffirmed its long-term commitment to developing and implementing community-focused projects that deliver lasting, meaningful benefits to young people across every region of the island, while continuing to partner with national public health bodies to advance shared goals for population health and well-being.