Bridgetown, Barbados, 13 April 2026 (PAHO) - Following the recent launch of the Team ECC Talks video series, the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Country (ECC) is pleased to share Episode 1, focusing on Event‑Based Surveillance (EBS) and PAHO’s ongoing support to countries across Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.
The Team ECC Talks series was created to spotlight the work, expertise, and experiences of PAHO/WHO colleagues in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, while highlighting key public health priorities and initiatives in the region. This first episode sets the stage by examining how event‑based surveillance strengthens early detection and rapid response to potential public health threats.
Episode 1 features insights from two PAHO/WHO colleagues working closely with ministries of health in the region, Dr. Prabhjot Singh, Advisor for Health Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control, and Mrs. Fiona Anthony, Country Program Specialist – Saint Lucia. Together, they discuss how event‑based surveillance functions as an early warning system and why it is an essential component of health security in small island states.
During the discussion, Dr. Singh explains that event‑based surveillance relies on the systematic collection and analysis of signals and reports from communities, such as unusual illness patterns, absenteeism in schools, food‑related illnesses, or environmental concerns. Unlike traditional indicator‑based surveillance, EBS draws heavily on informal and unstructured information, allowing authorities to identify potential risks before outbreaks are confirmed through health facilities.
Mrs. Anthony adds that while not every signal requires action, event‑based surveillance provides ministries of health with a mechanism to receive, monitor, and investigate community reports in a coordinated and timely way, supporting early intervention when it matters most.
The episode highlights PAHO’s role in supporting the implementation of event‑based surveillance across the Eastern Caribbean, particularly in small island settings. This support includes:
- In‑country technical and operational assistance
- Coordination with national stakeholders across sectors
- Training for surveillance staff and frontline responders
- Development of tailored communication tools for public reporting
In Saint Lucia, for example, this has included public service announcements to educate communities on how to report signals, training for hotline operators, and messaging delivered in both English and Creole to ensure accessibility and inclusiveness.
The conversation also explores how digital tools such as hotlines, messaging platforms, and emerging artificial intelligence applications can help manage information more efficiently and support surveillance outside of standard working hours. These innovations aim to enhance coordination while making best use of limited human resources.
At the same time, both speakers emphasize that community engagement remains central to the success of event‑based surveillance. Public awareness and participation are critical, as timely reporting by individuals enables ministries of health and PAHO to investigate and respond quickly to emerging risks.
As Team ECC Talks continues, the series will feature additional conversations with PAHO/WHO colleagues across Barbados the Eastern Caribbean, offering audiences deeper insight into public health work and collaboration with Member States.
🎥 Watch Team ECC Talks – Episode 1: Event‑Based Surveillance
