Bridgetown, Barbados, 29 January 2025 (PAHO) - From January 29th to 31st, 2025, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) teamed up with the Ministry of Health and Wellness to train public health officers to use a powerful data tool that helps track and understand diseases more effectively.
The training focused on Epi Info, a user-friendly software that helps health professionals to clean, analyze, and visualize disease data. By improving these skills, officers can quickly spot trends, detect outbreaks early, and make informed decisions to protect public health.
Leading the training was Ministry Epidemiologist Maria Ingram, alongside PAHO experts. The hands-on sessions showed participants how to reduce errors when collating data, organize information clearly, and present it in easy-to-understand visuals. These improvements make health reports more accurate and accessible, leading to better planning and response to both infectious diseases like the flu and long-term conditions like diabetes.
The Ministry’s Epidemiological Surveillance Unit plays a crucial role in monitoring public health trends, ensuring resources are used effectively, and responding to potential health threats. With better tools and training, officers can detect and control outbreaks faster, ultimately keeping communities safer.
Participants were excited about the training and eager to continue learning. The Ministry of Health & Wellness and PAHO plan to introduce more workshops on digital tools to enhance disease tracking and response in the future.
