Caribbean health professionals strengthen critical care skills to improve preparedness and response to severe acute respiratory infections

Bridgetown, March 6, 2026 (PAHO) - From March 3 to 6, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) conducted a subregional critical care training for 45 health professionals from across the Caribbean designed to strengthen the clinical management of Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) caused by COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

The training organized through the SARInet plus clinical management network, brought together pediatricians, internal medicine specialists, emergency physicians, intensive care and critical care specialists (including anesthesiology), as well as critical care nurses from Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname.

The program combined evidence-based clinical guidance, including the new recommendations for the management of RSV, case discussions, and simulation-based training, allowing participants to practice the management of critically ill patients in realistic clinical scenarios.

Over four days, participants strengthened their skills in key areas of critical care, including the early recognition of SARI, the identification and management of sepsis and shock, and the use of oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation strategies.

Simulation exercises allowed multidisciplinary teams to work through complex clinical situations such as septic shock, respiratory failure, and ventilator management, strengthening coordination among clinical teams.

In addition to frontline clinicians, the workshop also included health sector decision-makers, supporting preparedness of health services for respiratory epidemics and future pandemics.

"By training together professionals responsible for adult care, pediatric care, and nursing management, the initiative contributes to strengthening the sub region core capacity of clinical care" said Angel Rodriguez, PAHO advisor, clinical management of infectious hazards.

Through the SARInet plus clinical management network, this subregional collaboration continues to support countries in strengthening their clinical readiness and health system response to respiratory outbreaks and other public health emergencies.