Chief Medical Technologist attends CARPHA Infectious Substance Transport Regional Workshop

PRESS RELEASE

FROM THE Ministry of Health & Human Services

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands –, 9th December 2024 – Mr. Andrico Garland, Chief Medical Technologist at the National Public Health Laboratory attended the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Infectious Substance Transport (IATA) – Train the Trainer Regional Workshop held in Trinidad and Tobago November 25^th – 29^th 2024.

The workshop aimed to standardize training by equipping local trainers as previously done with up-to-date knowledge of regulations, best practices, and effective teaching methodologies. This ensures that training delivered across Member states is consistent and of high quality. Furthermore, the development of a cadre of qualified local trainers will allow for in-country training of a wider cross-section of persons at a country level and more efficient use of resources.

The transfer of Biological Substances, is a key component of the World Health Organization (WHO) International Health Regulations. The regional IATA- Train the Trainer workshop was necessary to enhance the CARPHA Member States (CMS) capacity to transport Infectious Substances and Biological material safely. Whether it be for referral testing, or the identification of pathogens that member states are unable to test and or need validation.

Overall, the Train-the Trainer- workshop represented a strategic initiative to build a robust and self-sufficient network of trainers within the Member states, thereby strengthening the capacity for safely shipping infectious substances and enhancing regional Public Health resilience.

Additional areas to which the workshop covered were:

1. Safety and Compliance
2. Capacity Building and Professional Development
3. Crisis Management and Resilience
4. Regional Integration and Cooperation
5. Public Health and Safety

Commenting on the workshop, Mr. Garland stated that “Attending this workshop has provided me with invaluable knowledge on infectious substances; the best practices when it comes to their safe packaging and handling and the proper documentation for transport. I am honored to have gained this invaluable experience which I will share in order to certify colleagues, so that the TCI will be in a better position to sustainably handle and transport any infectious substance safely, and or respond to any Public Health Emergency”.

For more information, please visit the Ministry of Health’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.