Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, 2 February 2026 (PAHO) – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries, is collaborating with the Caribbean Society for Biosafety and Biosecurity (CSBB) to strengthen biosafety and biosecurity capacities within public health laboratories in Saint Kitts and Nevis.
This initiative is part of the Pandemic Fund project for Eastern Caribbean Countries which supports countries in meeting International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) core capacities, particularly in the area of laboratory biosafety and biosecurity. As delivery partner of the project, CSBB provides tailored assessment services to help advance these national capacities.
A four-day in-country mission, conducted from 26-30 January 2026, focused on:
- evaluating existing biosafety and biosecurity conditions
- identifying prioritized items for action, and
- supporting the achievement of IHR laboratory core capacities
The assessments will guide the development of customized recommendations, targeted training, and updated documentation to strengthen national laboratory systems.
The visiting assessment team included Mr. Shawn Kirk, Team Lead Assessor and Ms. Whitney Arneaud, Principal Assessor from the Caribbean Society for Biosafety and Biosecurity (CSBB) and Ms. Sacha Wallace-Sankarsingh, International PAHO Consultant.
Assessments were conducted across both public and private laboratories, including public health laboratories at Joseph N. France General Hospital and the Alexandra Hospital, and private laboratories: Avalon, Next Generation and Quality Diagnostic Laboratory.
“The ability of a country to detect, prevent, and respond to public health threats depends on the strength of all its laboratory systems,” said Dr. Amalia Del Riego, PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries. “By assessing both public and private laboratories, Saint Kitts and Nevis is taking a comprehensive and forward-looking approach to biosafety and biosecurity. This inclusive effort ensures that every facility contributing to diagnostic services is equipped to operate safely, protect staff, and support the nation’s readiness against emerging health threats. PAHO remains committed to accompanying the country as it continues to build resilient, high quality laboratory capacities.”
About the Pandemic Fund project for Eastern Caribbean Countries
The project "Strengthening Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Emerging Health Threats in the Eastern Caribbean" project aims to reduce the burden of disease, prevent deaths, and minimize socioeconomic disruptions caused by public health emergencies by implementing a collaborative, One Health approach. Its four main areas of work reflect the Pandemic Fund’s priorities: strengthening surveillance, enhancing laboratory systems, and advancing workforce development.
The project "Strengthening Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Emerging Health Threats in the Eastern Caribbean" aims to reduce the burden of disease, prevent deaths, and minimize socioeconomic disruptions caused by public health emergencies by implementing a collaborative, One Health approach. The project is jointly implemented by three entities—the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Bank—along with a diverse multisectoral collaboration that supports integrated action across human, animal, and environmental health.
