Nassau, The Bahamas, 20 May 2025 — For strengthening laboratory diagnosis and surveillance for respiratory viruses in the Bahamas, the Pan American Health Organization/ World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) Country Office for The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands, donated 2,500 Nasal Swabs with Viral Transport Media (VTM) to the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) Bahamas.
The nasal swabs will be used by the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Princess Margaret Hospital, for the collection, storage, and transportation of human nasopharyngeal virus samples.
Dr Eldonna Boisson, PAHO/WHO Country Representative handed over the swabs to the Hon Dr. Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness.
The donated laboratory supplies will ensure a sustained supply of laboratory resources for the timely diagnosis of respiratory pathogens in the Bahamas. The early diagnosis of respiratory cases allows for timely clinical management of patients, contact tracing and tracking the prevalence of respiratory viruses, thus informing public health decisions.
