Port-of-Spain, 17 October 2025 (PAHO): The PAHO/WHO Trinidad and Tobago Country Office (PAHO/WHO TTO) was honoured to host Dr. Rhonda Sealey-Thomas, Assistant Director of PAHO, during her visit to Trinidad and Tobago to attend the 39th Meeting of Caribbean Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) Managers. Her presence underscored PAHO’s commitment to strengthening immunization systems and advancing public health collaboration.
Dr. Sealey-Thomas delivered remarks at the EPI Managers’ Meeting, where she emphasized the importance of immunization in achieving health equity and regional health security. The Honourable Dr. Lackram Bodoe, Minister of Health, delivered the feature address, reaffirming Trinidad and Tobago’s dedication to improving immunization coverage and outcomes.
While in Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Sealey-Thomas engaged with several key partners and stakeholders. She visited the PAHO/WHO Trinidad and Tobago Country Office, where she was welcomed by Dr. Gabriel Vivas Francesconi, PAHO/WHO Representative for Trinidad and Tobago and the Dutch Caribbean Islands. She reaffirmed her proud Caribbean heritage and joined the PAHO/WHO TTO team for a staff breakfast. The visit included presentations from Technical Advisors and a dialogue with staff on PAHO’s work and priorities in the country.
Dr. Sealey-Thomas also paid a courtesy call to the Honourable Dr. Lackram Bodoe, Minister of Health and key members of the Executive team of the Ministry where discussions centred around technical cooperation priorities between PAHO and Trinidad and Tobago. The Assistant Director also thanked the Minister for his active participation in the recent PAHO 62nd Directing Council in Washington D.C.
In addition, Dr. Sealey-Thomas met with the UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Joanna Kazana and members of the UN Country Team. The meeting focused on interagency collaboration and shared goals under the Sustainable Development Agenda.
The Assistant Director and Minister Bodoe visited the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Headquarters. During the visit, they met with the CARPHA Executive Management Team and toured the agency’s laboratory facilities. Discussions focused on strengthening regional health security and enhancing collaboration on priority health areas across the Caribbean.
The Assistant Director also had the opportunity to tour the Arima General Hospital, accompanied by Dr. Vivas and representatives from the PAHO Trinidad and Tobago Country Office. The delegation included Dr. Tim Gopeesingh, Chairman of the North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA), Mr. Bhadase Seetahal-Maharaj, CEO of NCRHA, and Dr. Ravi Lalla, Medical Chief of Staff at the Arima General Hospital. The visit featured a guided tour of key service areas and included discussions with medical staff. The tour provided valuable insights into service delivery and infrastructure at the secondary care level.
Dr. Sealey-Thomas’s visit reaffirmed PAHO’s ongoing support for the promotion of universal health coverage and the advancement of public health in Trinidad and Tobago and the region. The Trinidad and Tobago Country Office extends its sincere appreciation for her leadership and engagement.
