Bridgetown, Barbados, 23 July 2025 (PAHO) – The Ministry of Health and Wellness, with support from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), hosted a pivotal meeting with key stakeholders from across the public and private sectors to present the findings of their Information Systems for Health (IS4H) assessment.
The IS4H assessment, conducted in 2022, was a comprehensive evaluation of the current health information systems landscape in Barbados. Utilizing PAHO’s IS4H framework, the assessment examined the technological infrastructure, data management practices, and the overall information flow across the healthcare sector.
The resulting report offers a detailed analysis of the country’s health information ecosystem highlighting strengths, identifying gaps, and outlining key opportunities to enhance the governance and integration of health data systems.
The stakeholder meeting served as a critical platform to share the assessment’s findings and foster cross-sector collaboration. Participants engaged in a dynamic brainstorming session, exploring actionable strategies and interventions to transform Barbados’ health information systems into a more robust, responsive, and data-driven environment.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Mr. Wayne Marshall, expressed his appreciation to PAHO for its technical guidance throughout the assessment and planning process. He emphasized collective responsibility and a people-first approach.
“This transformation cannot and must not be shouldered by the Ministry of Health alone,” he noted. “That’s why we have various stakeholders here today to help bear the weight. If the Ministry’s shoulders are broad, we still need other shoulders to be just as broad to share the load. Your presence here is not only welcomed, it is essential. The active engagement of stakeholders across government, statutory bodies, healthcare institutions, academia, civil society, the private sector, and our international development partners is indispensable.”
“Above all, let us never forget that digital health is not about technology, it's about people. The citizens must remain the moral center and practical focus of every decision that we make. Every investment, every reform, every innovation, must be aimed at enhancing access to care, improving quality of services and achieving better health outcomes for every member of society.”
Dr. Taraleen Malcolm, speaking on behalf of Dr. Amalia Del Riego, PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries, commended the Ministry’s leadership and commitment to digital health transformation.
“By requesting this assessment and opening its doors to review, Barbados is once again setting an example not just for the Eastern Caribbean, but for all Small Island Developing States,” she said.
“Barbados understands what we at PAHO have long emphasized: that health information systems are not merely digital tools. They are the backbone of modern health systems. In an era where artificial intelligence is influencing everything from social media to medical imaging, a reliable, integrated, and secure information system for health is essential.”
The meeting culminated in a significant step forward, stakeholders agreed to form an official IS4H Advisory Committee, which will guide the implementation of the recommendations outlined in the report. The Ministry of Health and Wellness will now prepare a Cabinet Paper to formalize the establishment of the committee.
This strategic advancement signals a renewed commitment to strengthening Barbados’ digital health infrastructure ensuring better health outcomes through improved data-driven decision-making, and ultimately, more equitable and efficient healthcare delivery.
