Washington D.C. 30 May 2025 (PAHO) — As the Caribbean braces for the 2025 hurricane season, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), in collaboration with the Barbados Defense Force (BDF) Emergency Medical Team (EMT), the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), and the Barbados Ministry of Health and Wellness, conducted a mass casualty management workshop as a key component of the Mobile Hospital Medical Training. The training aimed to enhance regional preparedness and response capacity during disasters.
Held in Bridgetown from May 12–17, 2025, this comprehensive training brought together emergency medical practitioners, public health professionals, and first responders from Barbados and other Caribbean countries and territories. The goal was to strengthen coordination and operational readiness for managing large-scale emergencies and disasters. The program included the setup of a field/mobile hospital and a full-scale simulation exercise, which tested participants’ ability to respond to a mass casualty event related to an earthquake. This initiative is part of PAHO’s ongoing commitment to improving health security and building resilient health systems across the Caribbean.
The training emphasized the importance of a surge-ready health workforce, capable of rapidly responding to increased medical needs following hurricanes, earthquakes, or other natural hazard events. Participants received hands-on instruction in triage, field coordination, communications, and resource management—critical skills for any emergency response team in the high-risk Caribbean region.
As part of its Health Emergencies Program, PAHO continues to support Caribbean countries through technical guidance, training, and resource mobilization. The Mass Casualty Management course and Emergency Medical Teams readiness are essential components in building both local and regional capacity to respond to health emergencies—especially during hurricane season, when timely medical intervention can mean the difference between life and death.
