Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago, 2 November 2026 (PAHO) – One of the first team members to greet the United Nations delegation at Scarborough General Hospital in Tobago was not a doctor or a nurse, it was a humanoid health service robot.
This friendly greeting set the tone for a visit that showcased both innovation and people-centred care at the hospital. The visiting delegation included diplomats representing countries such as Canada, India, Spain, the Netherlands, as well as the European Union, along with representatives of United Nations agencies and development partners such as the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF). They all gained firsthand insight into how PAHO/WHO-supported initiatives are strengthening health services, improving maternal and child health, and contributing to a more resilient healthcare system in Tobago.
Dr. Faith Brebnor, Deputy Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly with responsibility for Health and Wellness welcomed the delegation to the hospital. In her remarks, she highlighted the importance of innovation and partnership in advancing healthcare and improving health outcomes for the people of Tobago.
The visitors received presentations on two PAHO/WHO-supported initiatives: the hospital's disinfecting robot and the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI).
The disinfecting robot was purchased through the Bringing High and Low Technology (HALT) to COVID-19 in Trinidad and Tobago project (funded by the India-United Nations Development Partnership Fund which is managed by the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC)). Tobago received both a disinfecting robot and a humanoid health service robot through the initiative, which supports the integration of digital technologies into healthcare settings.
The disinfecting robot uses ultraviolet light technology to support infection prevention and control, significantly reducing the time required to safely prepare rooms previously occupied by patients with infectious diseases for new admissions.
Delegates also learned about Tobago's success in implementing the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. Through close collaboration between PAHO/WHO and Tobago's health authorities, Scarborough General Hospital achieved Baby-Friendly Hospital accreditation in 2024 after implementing the WHO/UNICEF Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. The initiative strengthens support for mothers and newborns through staff training, public education, policy development, quality improvement measures, and breastfeeding support services.
The visit formed part of a two-day United Nations Trinidad and Tobago mission to Tobago, organized by the United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office. The mission brought together key stakeholders to engage with Tobago's development priorities and visit projects supported by the United Nations system across the island.
Led by Joanna Kazana, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Trinidad and Tobago, the mission combined site visits, a successful media briefing, and meetings with development partners and key stakeholders to highlight United Nations-supported initiatives and their contribution to Tobago's development priorities. The media briefing provided an opportunity for UN agencies and partners to share the results and impact of their work across the island, while stakeholder engagements and meetings with development partners further reinforced a shared commitment to advancing Tobago's sustainable development priorities.
The itinerary also included a UN Day reception, attended by members of the delegation and senior government officials, including Senator the Honourable Sean Sobers, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs and the Honourable Farley Chavez Augustine, Chief Secretary, THA.
The two-day mission also provided delegates with an opportunity to experience other initiatives supported by the United Nations system in Tobago. These included projects focused on sustainable livelihoods and environmental stewardship, such as beekeeping and honey production, sustainable energy solutions at the Main Ridge Forest Reserve Visitor Centre, and biodiversity conservation efforts within the North-East Tobago Biosphere Reserve. The delegation also visited a community mural project raising awareness of gender-based violence.
As one of several stops during the two-day United Nations mission, the tour of Scarborough General Hospital highlighted how strategic investments in digital health technologies and maternal and newborn care are delivering tangible benefits for the people of Tobago. The visit also demonstrated the impact of collaboration among the THA Division of Health, Wellness and Social Protection, the Tobago Regional Health Authority, PAHO/WHO, the wider United Nations system, bilateral partners, and development partners in advancing healthcare innovation, strengthening health services, and improving health outcomes across the island.
Photos courtesy: Department of Information, Tobago House of Assembly
