26 lab directors, as well as public health lab professionals and others, recently participated in CARPHA’s 11th Annual Caribbean Public Health Laboratory Network Workshop.
Held from September 8th–10th, it was aimed at strengthening laboratory networking, preparedness, surveillance, diagnostic coordination and the public health response across the Caribbean.
A major focus was strengthening the link between laboratory data and timely public health action.
Participants examined ways to improve information on laboratory capacity, specimen submission and transportation, and data-sharing mechanisms.
There were also discussions on priority areas for regional health security including antimicrobial resistance, tuberculosis surveillance and testing, preparedness for measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases, bio-risk management, specimen referral & transportation, laboratory information systems, and the use of laboratory data for surveillance and public health decision-making.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop, CARPHA Executive Director Dr. Lisa Indar underscored the central role of laboratories in protecting the region, saying “The ability to rapidly detect a pathogen, confirm an outbreak, identify antimicrobial resistance, share reliable data, and refer specimens safely can determine how effectively we protect our populations.”
The Workshop was funded by CARPHA’s Pandemic Fund grant.
It featured a hybrid format, with 11 laboratory directors attending in person, and a further 15 participating virtually.
