Bridgetown, Barbados, May 8, 2025 — Dr. Rhonda Sealey-Thomas, Assistant Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), has completed her first official visit to Barbados during the week of May 5, 2025. The visit focused on strengthening partnerships and enhancing collaboration with key national, regional, and international stakeholders.
During her mission, Dr. Sealey-Thomas undertook a range of engagements:
Advancing Regional Public Health Priorities
Dr. Sealey-Thomas delivered remarks at two high-level events during her visit. She spoke at the launch of the Fleming Fund regional projects, an initiative supported by CARPHA, the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), and PAHO to fortify the Caribbean’s fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Additionally, she addressed participants at the opening session of the 69th CARPHA Caribbean Public Health Agency Research Conference, held under the theme “Mental Health: The Hidden Pandemic.”
Strengthening Laboratory Capacity and Innovation
Dr. Sealey-Thomas toured the Best Dos Santos Public Health Laboratory and the newly opened Barbados Living Laboratory, two key facilities in the country’s health surveillance and innovation infrastructure. She commended the services offered at both sites and acknowledged PAHO’s continued collaboration through the provision of supplies, equipment, and training. In 2024, the Best Dos Santos Laboratory was designated a National Influenza Centre by the World Health Organization (WHO), marking a significant achievement for the country.
Engagement with the United Nations Sub-regional Team
At the United Nations House, Dr. Sealey-Thomas met with UN Resident Coordinator Mr. Simon Springett and members of the UN Sub-regional Team. The meeting focused on opportunities for deeper collaboration in addressing health priorities through integrated, multisectoral approaches.
Strengthening ties with the European Union
The Assistant Director also paid a courtesy call on H.E. Malgorzata Wasilewska, Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean States, the OECS, and CARICOM/CARIFORUM. Discussions included strategies to address capacity gaps in small island developing states, with a focus on vaccine and pharmaceutical production, regulatory frameworks, climate change and health, and innovative partnerships suited to today’s global health challenges.
Meeting with Canada’s High Commissioner
In her meeting with H.E. Brenda Wills, High Commissioner of Canada to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Dr. Sealey-Thomas expressed appreciation for Canada’s longstanding support to PAHO. The dialogue covered critical topics including immunization, gender-based equity, and disaster preparedness and response.
Visit to PAHO Country Office and Emergency Operations Centre
While visiting the PAHO Barbados Country Office, Dr. Sealey-Thomas met with all personnel. In a poignant moment, she reflected on having launched her public health career over 20 years ago in the same PAHO Barbados conference room, as a Medical Officer of Health of Antigua and Barbuda. She used the opportunity to connect with staff, share her roles and responsibilities, and hear directly about their work and priorities.
In another nostalgic moment Dr. Sealey-Thomas toured the newly inaugurated Carissa F. Etienne Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), a facility for public health emergency coordination.
Discussions with the Ministry of Health and Wellness
The Assistant Director’s visit concluded with a courtesy call on the Minister of Health and Wellness, Sen. Dr. The Most Hon. Jerome Walcott and senior officials from the Ministry. Dr. Sealey-Thomas commended Barbados for its strong performance in vaccination coverage and the maintenance of elimination of vaccine-preventable diseases, efforts that align with PAHO’s Elimination Initiative 2030. The government of Barbados was also lauded for its proactive decision to introduce a tax on snacks with high salt content, a bold step to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The meeting addressed technical support provided with updating Barbados’ Mental Health Act (1989) and its regulations. The drafting instructions are completed, and preparation of the Bill is being finalized. There were discussions on the Best Dos Santos Laboratory being designated as a WHO Collaborating Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance, the Assistant Director pledged her full support to facilitating the process. Also reviewed was the Information Systems for Health (IS4H) initiative, and enhancing surveillance at ports of entry in response to re-emerging threats such as measles.
Dr. Sealey-Thomas reaffirmed PAHO’s unwavering support to Barbados at all levels of the organization and highlighted the importance of continued partnership to advance public health outcomes.
