Saint Lucia advances Integrated Health Surveillance with inclusion of Noncommunicable Diseases

Castries, Saint Lucia, 3 August 2026 (PAHO) - The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition, with support from the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), successfully conducted a five-day training workshop on the country's Integrated Health Surveillance Guidelines, strengthening national capacity for surveillance, reporting, and response to priority public health events.

The training brought together healthcare workers, epidemiologists, laboratory personnel, health managers, environmental health officers, and representatives from key partner sectors to build competencies in using Saint Lucia's newly developed Integrated Health Surveillance Guidelines webpage and associated standard operating procedures. The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005), enhance multisectoral coordination, and improve the collection and use of health information for decision-making.

The workshop was implemented under the Pandemic Fund Project for Eastern Caribbean Countries, which supports Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The project, implemented jointly by PAHO/WHO, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the World Bank, seeks to strengthen surveillance systems, laboratory capacity, and the public health workforce through a One Health approach that recognizes the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health.

Using a practical, hands-on approach, participants navigated the online guidelines, applied reporting procedures, and engaged in simulation exercises based on real-world public health scenarios. These included dengue outbreak investigations, management of a suspected Ebola case requiring immediate notification and response, and the application of surveillance procedures for hypertension. Participants also strengthened their understanding of information-sharing pathways, case definitions, laboratory reporting, and the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders within the surveillance system.

According to Dr. Michelle Francois, National Epidemiologist, the training is an important part of the country's overall strategy in strengthening Saint Lucia's surveillance architecture and fostering collaboration across sectors.

"Effective surveillance depends on strong partnerships and clear communication across sectors. The Integrated Surveillance Guidelines provide a common framework that strengthens coordination among health, environmental, laboratory, veterinary and other key stakeholders, helping Saint Lucia better detect, report and respond to public health threats. This collaborative approach is essential for addressing emerging challenges, including zoonotic diseases and other events that require a coordinated national response."

A key achievement of the workshop was the inclusion of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) into the national surveillance framework, expanding surveillance beyond communicable diseases and outbreaks to include chronic conditions and associated risk factors. Participants were introduced to surveillance procedures and job aids for hypertension, diabetes and cancer, supporting the routine collection, analysis and use of NCD data within the national health information system.

Dr. Taraleen Malcolm, PAHO Advisor for Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, underscored the significance of embedding NCD surveillance within routine public health systems.

"Noncommunicable diseases remain the leading cause of premature mortality in the Caribbean. Integrating NCDs into national surveillance systems is critical for understanding disease trends, monitoring risk factors and outcomes, and generating the evidence needed to guide prevention and control efforts. This initiative represents an important step towards a more comprehensive approach to population health in Saint Lucia."

The workshop also emphasized the importance of a whole-of-system approach to surveillance by ensuring that health and non-health stakeholders understand their respective roles in the detection, reporting and management of public health events. Through interactive exercises and simulations, participants strengthened their ability to apply standardized procedures, improve data quality, and support timely public health action.

The Integrated Health Surveillance Guidelines have been developed as a living digital resource that promotes standardized reporting, clearly defined roles and responsibilities, and timely information sharing across sectors. The platform is expected to support continuous learning and provide a sustainable mechanism for strengthening surveillance practices nationwide.

Fiona Anthony, PAHO/WHO Country Program Specialist for Saint Lucia, highlighted the broader significance of the initiative within the Pandemic Fund-supported regional programme.

"Investments in surveillance are fundamental to stronger health systems and health security. Through the Pandemic Fund project, countries across the Eastern Caribbean are enhancing their capacity to detect and respond to health threats while strengthening the systems needed to generate timely and reliable information for public health action."

The training reflects Saint Lucia's commitment to strengthening integrated surveillance and contributes to broader regional efforts under the Pandemic Fund to improve multisectoral surveillance, laboratory systems, and workforce capacity. By incorporating noncommunicable diseases into its surveillance framework while strengthening preparedness for emerging health threats, Saint Lucia is advancing a more integrated, data-driven and resilient public health system capable of protecting the health and well-being of its population.