Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago – November 20, 2025 - The PAHO/WHO Trinidad and Tobago Country Office hosted an official handover ceremony to deliver telehealth kits for deployment across the health sector and computers to support the Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission (EMTCT) Programme.
This initiative marks a substantial investment in digital health solutions aimed at improving access to care and strengthening health systems in Trinidad and Tobago.
Ten All-in-one telehealth kits, along with eight portable fetal maternal monitors and eight electrocardiographs (ECGs) with durable travel cases, were provided to enable remote consultations and specialized services, even in rural and underserved communities.
This technology supports continuous monitoring, reduces barriers to access, and enhances convenience for patients and providers. The compact, durable, and interoperable All-in-One telehealth kits include vital sign monitors, glucometers, ECG capability, and android tablets, allowing healthcare providers to conduct comprehensive assessments and deliver care without requiring patients to travel to health facilities.
In addition, ten desktop computers were handed over to the Ministry for their EMTCT programme, to strengthen surveillance systems, improve data collection, and support reporting on key indicators for HIV and syphilis transmission. This programme aligns with PAHO’s Elimination Initiative.
Speaking at the ceremony, PAHO/WHO Representative for Trinidad and Tobago and the Dutch Caribbean Islands, Dr. Gabriel Vivas Francesconi, emphasized that “technology is not just a tool, it is a bridge to equity,” adding that these resources will help ensure that geography is no longer a barrier to quality healthcare as it “helps to bring care directly to the communities that need it most”.
In his feature address, the Honourable Dr. Lackram Bodoe, Minister of Health, indicated that the telehealth kits will play a key role in strengthening the delivery of high-quality healthcare in remote areas and support the provision of services such as cardiovascular assessments and prenatal ultrasounds.
The donation of the computers was made possible through funding from the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, which is managed by the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC). The telehealth kits were procured via the PAHO Regional Revolving Funds for Strategic Public Health Supplies, which allows countries to access medicines and high-quality health technologies at affordable prices, saving up to 80% compared to individual purchases.
The event concluded with an official handover and a viewing of the equipment on display. PAHO/WHO commends the Ministry of Health for its leadership and partnership in advancing resilient health systems, universal health coverage and health equity for all.
