Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, 23 October, 2024. (PAHO) - In 2023 the Director of PAHO, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa da Silva Jr., reaffirmed and reintroduced the “Elimination Initiative” that was first launched mere months before the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global emergency in 2020. This renewed focus on the initiative presents a timely opportunity for Member States to enhance their systems for tackling communicable diseases.
In line with this thrust, on October 23, 2024, PAHO/WHO Trinidad and Tobago Country Office (TTO) hosted a workshop on Neglected Infectious Diseases and One Health entitled: “A Caribbean Perspective: Strengthening Laboratory Capacity for Detecting Rabies Virus in Trinidad and Tobago”. This event aimed to enhance awareness among healthcare workers and stakeholders regarding neglected infectious diseases (NIDs) and the One Health approach to disease prevention and control.
Dr. Gabriel Vivas Francesconi, the PAHO/WHO Representative for Trinidad and Tobago and the Dutch Caribbean Islands, delivered the Opening Remarks, emphasizing the need for collective efforts in combating rabies. He stated, “Strengthening laboratory capacity is not an end in itself, but a means to a greater goal—the certification of elimination of human rabies transmitted by dogs in Trinidad and Tobago.” This quote encapsulates the workshop’s focus on enhancing laboratory capabilities as part of a broader strategy for rabies elimination.
Dr. Roger Ramjohn, the Acting Chief Medical Officer, also delivered an insightful speech which highlighted the country’s the unique and historical relationship with rabies. The first documented transmission of bat rabies in humans occurred in Trinidad and Tobago between 1923-1937. He highlighted the numerous benefits of strengthening the laboratory capacity for the detection of rabies and the importance of a collaborative approach to rabies prevention in Trinidad and Tobago.
Participants were privy to presentations on the connection between NIDs and the Sustainable Development Goals and a historical perspective on rabies detection in Trinidad and Tobago, including the advancements made in laboratory detection methods while also addressing the challenges that remain. Topics also addressed the role of genomic surveillance in enhancing rabies detection capabilities, highlighting how modern technology can aid in monitoring and controlling the virus.
An interactive panel discussion on “Pathways to Strengthening Rabies Virus Detection at Laboratories Trinidad and Tobago” provided participants with the opportunity to engage directly with subject-matter experts. This session not only facilitated a rich exchange of ideas but also helped attendees to start envisioning a clear pathway towards achieving the certification of rabies elimination in Trinidad and Tobago.
An enhanced surveillance system would make Trinidad and Tobago better poised to diagnose, monitor, and respond to rabies cases, ultimately safeguarding both human and animal populations. This proactive approach not only addresses immediate health concerns but also lays the groundwork for long-term improvements in public health infrastructure.
This workshop built upon the two-day seminar on Neglected Infectious Diseases (NIDs) held in 2023. which served to introduce and promote the One Health approach to rabies prevention and control.
By continuing the dialogue initiated in the previous session and expanding on strategies for managing Neglected Infectious Diseases (NIDs), this workshop sought to further embed the principles of the Elimination Initiative into Trinidad and Tobago’s public health framework. This integration is crucial for advancing the country towards its goals of controlling and ultimately eliminating communicable diseases, ensuring a healthier future for its population.
PAHO/WHO remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting Trinidad and Tobago’s elimination initiative agenda. By providing technical assistance, training, and resources, PAHO/WHO seeks to enhance the country’s capacity to combat rabies and other neglected infectious diseases. Together, PAHO/WHO and Trinidad and Tobago are working towards a healthier future, ensuring that the elimination of rabies becomes a reality for all communities.
