An Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) officially inaugurated today in the newly-constructed PAHO WHO Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean (EOC), has been named after the late Dr. Carissa Etienne, former Dominican Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Dr. Etienne died of a heart attack in December 2024 shortly after retiring following a 10-year stint at the head of PAHO. The Carissa Faustina Etienne Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) aims to bolster regional resilience ahead of the 2025 hurricane season.
The ceremony drew together regional leaders, international partners, and representatives from Caribbean nations, all united in their commitment to strengthening their collective capacity to respond swiftly and effectively to emergencies, including hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and public health crises. Also in attendance were members of Dr. Etienne’s family including her husband, Joseph “Willy” Gregoire. The event Dr. Amalia Del Rigo, PAHO/WHO representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, expressed her pride in honoring Dr. Etienne’s legacy, emphasizing her unwavering dedication to public health and emergency preparedness across the Americas. “Today, we celebrate her extraordinary leadership and the impact of her vision, which has made this emergency operations center a reality,” she stated.
The EOC is envisioned as a vital hub for coordinating timely responses across 13 countries and territories within the region, enhancing the ability of local health authorities and partners to monitor threats and mobilize resources efficiently. Dr. Del Rigo highlighted that this milestone aligns with regional efforts to build resilience, especially as climate change exacerbates the frequency and severity of natural disasters.
In his remarks, Director of the Pan American Health Organization, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, though absent in person, conveyed his support through a videotaped message. He underscored the importance of the center in fostering regional cooperation and resilience, noting that “preparedness cannot wait.” He praised Barbados for its leadership and solidarity, emphasizing that the facility is a testament to regional collaboration and shared purpose.
Barbadian Minister of Health and Wellness, Senator Dr. Jerome Walcott, also addressed the gathering, acknowledging the critical timing of the center’s launch given the predicted above-average hurricane activity for 2025. He expressed confidence that the facility would strengthen disaster management and health emergency responses throughout the Caribbean.
The establishment of the Carissa F. Etienne EOC stands as a significant step forward in regional health security, embodying Dr. Etienne’s lifelong advocacy for health equity, universal health coverage, and emergency readiness. As the Caribbean faces ongoing climate challenges and emerging health threats, this state-of-the-art facility promises to serve as a beacon of resilience, preparedness, and hope for the region’s future.
In the words of Dr. Walcott, “This event marks not just the opening of a building, but the beginning of a renewed regional commitment to safeguarding lives and strengthening health systems in the face of adversity,”