Source: Erasmus Williams FB
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS — The Washington-based Pan American Health Organisation and World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) have commended the latest initiative by the St. Kitts and Nevis Ministry of Health, led by Prime Minister and Minister of Health, the Hon. Dr Terrance M. Drew.
The international health bodies highlighted the start of data collection and entry into the newly developed Centralised Health Workforce Database (CHWD+) as a significant milestone in strengthening health workforce planning.
PAHO/WHO stated that a technical mission, which began on August 10, is assisting the Ministry of Health in transitioning the CHWD+ from system development to full operationalisation.
“The mission is supported by PAHO/WHO with funding through the Pandemic Fund project for Eastern Caribbean Countries, which includes support to strengthen health workforce planning for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response,” the organisation noted.
Built on the DHIS2 platform, the CHWD+ has been customised to reflect the health workforce structures, data sources, and information needs of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Once fully populated, the system will provide comprehensive, standardised information on the nation’s healthcare personnel to support evidence-based planning and decision-making.
Saint Kitts and Nevis is the first participating country under the regional initiative to begin entering data into its customised CHWD+.
Speaking at the start of the mission, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Mr Curtis Martin, highlighted the significance of the project, underscoring his ongoing commitment to strengthening human resources in healthcare.
“Today, we are examining our current status and ensuring that the solutions we put forward are ripe and ready for a better Saint Kitts and Nevis landscape,” Mr. Martin said. “By strengthening data systems, Saint Kitts and Nevis reaffirms its commitment to building resilience, protecting public health, and advancing its vision of a sustainable island state.”
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Hazel Laws also welcomed the progress achieved through the Ministry’s collaboration with PAHO.
“I am very pleased that this is moving forward through our collaboration with the Pan American Health Organisation, allowing us to finally establish a comprehensive human resources for health database,” Dr. Laws stated. “Everything in healthcare requires human resources, and it all begins with knowing who you have and where they are deployed.”
Dr. Prabhjot Singh, Interim PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries, underscored the vital role reliable workforce data plays in health system stability and emergency readiness.
“Reliable health workforce information is particularly crucial for small island developing states, where limited human resources and gaps in timely, complete, and standardised data can impact health planning and service delivery,” Dr. Singh said. “The COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the importance of knowing who comprises our health workforce, where they are stationed, and how they can be effectively deployed. Through the CHWD+, Saint Kitts and Nevis will possess stronger information to support workforce management, informed decision-making, and preparedness for future health emergencies.”
This technical assistance began several months ago with the initial development and customisation of the CHWD+. During a multi-stakeholder workshop held on November 18–19, 2025, participants reviewed the proposed data dictionary. This was followed by an in-country mission on April 27–28, 2026, during which variable names, drop-down options, and tooltips were finalised.
During the current mission, designated personnel received hands-on training to navigate and operate the CHWD+, while actual data entry commenced using Ministry of Health personnel records and other priority sources.
The mission will also evaluate data collection workflows across various administrative units and health facilities nationwide, assessing access rights, user credentials, system navigation, connectivity, equipment configuration, and ongoing technical support.
Activities originated at the Ministry of Health headquarters in Saint Kitts and will expand to the Joseph N. France General Hospital and select health centres. A one-day site visit to Nevis will assess operational readiness and establish an optimal data collection approach for the island, covering Ministry of Health offices, Alexandra Hospital, and local health centres.
At the conclusion of the mission, the Ministry of Health and PAHO reviewed overall progress and established a phased implementation plan covering continued data collection, quality control reviews, and technical assistance.
