CARPHA hosts regional workshop on molecular detection and surveillance of antimicrobial resistance

Sep 04, 2025 News

Group photo of participants at the Regional Training Workshop on Molecular Detection and Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) held in Trinidad.

Kaieteur News – The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has successfully hosted the largest technical training workshop on molecular detection and surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) at its Medical Microbiology Laboratory (CMML) in Trinidad and Tobago.

The week-long workshop, held from August 25–29, 2025, brought together representatives from 20 CARPHA Member States, marking an unprecedented step forward in building regional laboratory capacity to tackle drug-resistant infections.

The training was organised by CARPHA in collaboration with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), in partnership with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), with financial support from the UK Department of Health and Social Care’s Fleming Fund and the Pandemic Fund. This collective investment underscores strong international commitment to advancing AMR capacity across the region.

In a press release CARPHA said Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) remains one of the most pressing global health threats, directly causing an estimated 1.27 million deaths in 2019 and contributing to nearly 5 million more. In the Caribbean, limited diagnostic capacity and fragmented surveillance systems have hindered timely treatment and effective public health responses. Molecular testing offers faster and more accurate identification of resistance genes, strengthening both clinical management and regional surveillance.

The CMML workshop combined lectures with intensive, hands-on training in molecular techniques, including PCR-based detection of resistance genes, quality assurance systems, and the integration of molecular data into global surveillance platforms such as WHO GLASS. By equipping Caribbean laboratory professionals with advanced skills in molecular diagnostics, the training enhances national capacity and strengthens the region’s ability to respond to AMR threats.

Facilitators and participants at the CMML workshop receive hands-on training in molecular techniques.

Dr. Gabriel Gonzalez Escobar, Head of the CMML, noted: “Hosting the largest-ever technical workshop at CMML demonstrates CARPHA’s commitment to advancing laboratory excellence in the Caribbean. This training equips our Member States with cutting-edge molecular tools that will improve diagnostic turnaround times, surveillance data quality, and the region’s readiness to respond to AMR.”

CARPHA’s Executive Director, Dr. Lisa Indar, highlighted the importance of regional collaboration: “This milestone shows what can be achieved when regional collaboration meets strong international partnerships. By bringing together experts from CARPHA, UKHSA, and PAHO, and with the support of the Fleming Fund and Pandemic Fund, we are building resilience in Caribbean health systems and ensuring our Member States have the tools they need to protect their populations from antimicrobial resistance.”

This workshop follows the phenotypic AMR diagnostics training held in Barbados earlier in 2025 and represents the next phase of CARPHA’s Integrated AMR Programme, which spans surveillance, laboratory strengthening, policy development, partnerships, and One Health collaboration across human, animal, and environmental health.

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antimicrobial resistance, CARPHA, molecular detection, regional workshop

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