PAHO supported Dominica in strengthening national capacities for all-hazards health emergency preparedness and response throughout the biennium. Through direct technical cooperation and training, Dominica completed key preparedness and response activities, including training in mass casualty management, incident command system, emergency care, and surveillance-related training supported by PAHO. Surveillance and laboratory readiness were reinforced through the digitalization of syndromic and event-based surveillance systems, deployment of modules of the District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2) web-based platform, and strengthened molecular detection and antimicrobial resistance testing capacity. These efforts improved early warning, situational awareness, and response speed in the face of public health threats. At the subregional level, the establishment of a dedicated Emergency Operations Center and updated emergency response protocols further strengthened coordination and operational readiness.  

Together, these initiatives enhance Dominica’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to health emergencies while maintaining essential services, reducing the potential health impact of disasters and outbreaks, and contributing to greater resilience and health security for the population.

Photo caption: Readiness assessment for the DHIS2-based Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) sentinel surveillance system

Credit: PAHO - Nicole Slack-Liburd