Across the Caribbean, the Fleming Fund’s support is transforming how laboratories detect, diagnose, and respond to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). From improved patient care to stronger national surveillance, frontline staff are already seeing measurable changes in their daily work. Staff from two laboratories - St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Dominica - reflect on how these investments are reshaping their systems and strengthening the region’s collective AMR response.
Rapid, High-Quality Diagnostics in St. Vincent and the Grenadines
For Medical Laboratory Scientist, Haze John, the introduction of automated diagnostics represents a turning point for clinical care in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. With the installation of the BAC-T Alert and Vitek 2 systems, the hospital laboratory is now equipped to detect bloodstream infections faster and more accurately than ever before.
As Haze explains:
“The addition of the BAC-T Alert and Vitek 2 system is a major step forward for our hospital laboratory… Faster and more reliable results mean clinicians can start targeted treatment sooner, improving patient outcomes and improving antibiotic use.”
He described how these technologies will fundamentally change daily operations:
“Instead of waiting days for identification and susceptibility results, we will now have the capacity to deliver high-quality evidence-based information much more quickly.”
The impact goes beyond individual patients. Faster results strengthen the island’s infection prevention and control efforts, support AMR surveillance, and contribute directly to the wider regional initiative.
“These improvements allow us to provide safer, more efficient care and contribute more effectively to the wider regional AMR initiative supported by PAHO and the Fleming Fund.”
Enhanced AMR Detection and Stewardship in Dominica
In Dominica, the National Medical Laboratory is seeing parallel gains. Manager of the Dominica National Laboratory, Eric Carbon, highlighted how Fleming Fund investments have expanded both technical capacity and the ability to guide national stewardship efforts.
“With the Fleming Fund, we have greatly enhanced the capacity to do such things… With the addition of new methods and reagents, we have improved the capacity to detect resistance mechanisms from ESBLs to carbapenemases.”
This improved detection is directly strengthening hospital care and national decision-making.
“It serves the purpose of informing our medical staff and informing policy makers with much more refined data… for building antibiotic formularies and directing antimicrobial stewardship activities.”
Beyond equipment, Eric emphasised the value of mentorship and knowledge exchange:
“We have the new technologies, equipment, the knowledge exchange, the mentorship… The Dominica National Medical Laboratory is very thankful, very grateful for the input of the Fleming Fund.”
Early detection, he noted, is now possible in ways that were previously out of reach.
“It has greatly improved our ability to monitor AMR and our ability to detect early for early action within our system.”
A Strengthened Regional AMR Response
Together, these reflections illustrate how the Fleming Fund is helping to build a stronger, more connected laboratory network across the Caribbean. Faster diagnostics, better surveillance data, and empowered laboratory teams are laying the foundation for improved patient care and coordinated regional action against AMR.
As Caribbean laboratories continue applying these new capabilities into 2026, their voices show the real impact of investment in people, systems, and sustainability - one strengthened laboratory at a time.