Bridgetown, Barbados, 10 April 2026 (PAHO/WHO) - Strengthening laboratory systems remains a key part of the UK Fleming Fund-supported project Strengthening Antimicrobial Resistance Response in the Caribbean. Over the past year, PAHO has supported the delivery and installation of critical laboratory equipment to enhance diagnostic capacity across the region.
In total, 34 pieces of equipment have been delivered to 14 laboratories in 9 Caribbean countries, providing laboratory teams with the tools needed to better detect and monitor antimicrobial-resistant organisms. These installations include advanced diagnostic platforms such as VITEK® 2, BACT/ALERT®, MALDI-TOF, and IR Biotyper, along with essential supporting equipment including PCR machines and ultra-low temperature freezers.
For laboratory professionals across the Caribbean, these technologies are helping to generate faster and more reliable diagnostic results to support patient care, infection prevention and control, and national AMR strategies. The strengthened systems also allow countries to contribute more robust data to regional surveillance through the ReLAVRA+ network, supporting a coordinated approach to tracking AMR across the Americas.
Alongside equipment installations, PAHO has also initiated procurement processes for reagents and consumables for 2026, ensuring laboratories have the supplies needed to operate and maintain these diagnostic platforms.
Looking ahead, efforts are underway to integrate key reagents and consumables into the PAHO Strategic Fund, helping countries transition toward sustainable, nationally managed procurement systems that will support the long-term continuity of AMR surveillance across the Caribbean.
