Roseau, Dominica, 11 May 2026 (PAHO) - The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services, in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), hosted a four-day technical mission from May 5–8 to advance the development of National Integrated Surveillance Guidelines. These guidelines will form part of a soon-to-be-established Digital Health Library and will play a critical role in strengthening Dominica’s national public health surveillance system.
The Integrated Surveillance Guidelines are intended to reinforce the surveillance process from data generation to analysis and use, supporting the timely detection, reporting, and response to public health events in accordance with the International Health Regulations (2005).
The mission was facilitated by PAHO Contractor Ms. Eden Augustus and focused on a series of key informant interviews with government officials from multiple sectors. Participating agencies included the Ministries responsible for tourism and education, the Dominica Air and Seaports Authority, the Dominica Water and Sewerage Company, as well as the Gender Unit, Health Promotion Unit, and the Environmental Health Department within the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services.
These interviews provided valuable insights into the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders involved in surveillance activities, including reporting mechanisms, communication channels, and intersectoral coordination across ministries and departments.
Highlighting the importance of the initiative, Senior Environmental Health Officer with responsibility for Port Health, Ms. Kursha Augustine, stated that “the information shared was relevant to emerging public health threats and highlighted the important role of Port Health in surveillance and early detection to protect public health.”
Development of the National Integrated Surveillance Guidelines began in 2024, with contributions from multiple government entities, including the Ministry of Agriculture and the Primary Health Care Department within the Ministry of Health, among others. The process is expected to continue over the coming months with additional technical support from PAHO.
PAHO is also providing similar support to other countries in the Eastern Caribbean, including Saint Lucia and Grenada, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen regional surveillance systems and public health preparedness.
