HEADS of Department of Department from the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs participated in a two and a half-day training on “Health Emergency Operation Centres (HEOCs) facilitated by the Pan American Organization (PAHO).
Health Emergency Operation Centres serve as central command centres for managing, coordinating and responding to public health emergencies.
Saint Lucia, like the rest of the region is highly susceptible and has been impacted by a range of natural disasters. Over the past three decades, the Eastern Caribbean countries have experienced approximately 61 disasters affecting over 500, 000 people and resulting in a cost exceeding US$ 12.4 million.
While countries may have the experience and capacity to respond to these emergencies, addressing health crises and natural disasters is a growing concern. As a result, it has become necessary for countries to review their decision making processes and ensure there are clear procedures in place regardless of the type of disasters. Hence, the reason for the Health Emergency Operation Centres training which was conducted from June 26-June 28, 2023.
“Having well defined procedures facilitate the coordination and collaboration of the various stakeholders given the multi-disciplinary collaboration that is necessary to respond to events such as hurricanes, and other disasters. Saint Lucia has faced several emergencies that require a coordinated response, and therefore you have the experiences to pull from in moving forward in strengthening your Health EOC,” said Taraleen Malcolm, PAHO-WHO Technical Advisor, Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health.
PAHO, according to Ms. Malcolm, was pleased to collaborate with the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs who has recognized the need to continue to build capacity to manage its Health Emergency Operation Centres. The training was aimed at assessing, identifying and analyzing, existing coordination and decision making processes, that are employed during health emergencies cycle in Saint Lucia.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs Ms. Jenny Daniel stated that the training was timely in light of the recent cyclonic activities in the region.
“It is in recognition of this vital role of HEOCs in safeguarding the health sector’s state of readiness that we at the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs in collaboration with PAHO has organized this training seminar. It is anticipated that this training will equip the eternal stakeholders with the knowledge and capacity to responds to emergencies which may occur from time to time,” Daniel said.
Ms. Daniel added that while the training on Health Emergency Operation Centres provided an opportunity for learning new concepts, it also served as a refresher in some aspects.