The Caribbean’s ability to respond swiftly and cohesively to health emergencies took a major step forward with the inauguration of the Carissa F. Etienne Emergency Operations Centre in Barbados on Wednesday.
The new facility, housed within the Pan American Health Organization Barbados office, will serve as a regional hub for emergency response coordination across 13 Caribbean countries and territories, aiming to boost readiness as the region approaches the 2025 hurricane season.
Named in memory of Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, PAHO Director Emeritus, the center honors her legacy of leadership in public health and emergency preparedness.
PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa offered remarks in a prerecorded video.
Speakers included Barbados Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Jerome Walcott, who emphasized the center’s importance amid increasingly frequent climate disasters. He cited the devastation of Hurricane Beryl in 2024 and forecasted challenges ahead.
Officials highlighted Dr. Etienne’s transformative impact on the Caribbean’s health landscape, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. A commemorative pictorial book was presented to her family during the ceremony, honoring her visits, collaborations, and beloved mentorship.
The center is operational ahead of what is forecast to be an above-average hurricane season, and PAHO representatives say they stand ready to assist member states with both preventive and reactive health measures.