The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition has now taken a proactive approach to detect and respond to emerging health risks following the launch of the Event-Based Surveillance (EBS) system. This system will assist the ministry with the collection and investigation of reports regarding unusual health events from healthcare workers and the community.

National Epidemiologist Dr. Michelle Francois highlighted the importance of launching this Event-Based Surveillance (EBS) system which will better support the ministry in its efforts to respond rapidly to public health threats before it escalates. “We noted that the public, they have been reporting to us and we appreciate that. However, there wasn’t a structured reporting mechanism for them to do so. So, what you would have is persons calling into the ministry or they are talking to a friend of a friend who works at the ministry to get that information to us and unfortunately sometimes that information would not reach that right place. So, with this system we have created a reporting mechanism or structure whereby the public can report any event or public health concerns that they have directly through the ministry. It is confidential and we can act upon it.”

Dr. Michelle Francois also spoke on the crucial role of the community in surveillance and monitoring of unusual public events. “It incorporates the community and the information comes from community members. So, for example, it starts with a parent at a school, if you notice you dropping your child off at school and you notice for the last few weeks several children have been absent, you can call and notify the Ministry of Health and we can launch an investigation; so what is happening, why that high level of absenteeism at the schools. It may be unrelated but certainly it warrants an investigation. It could be you walking on the beach and you notice dead animals, dead birds. That is something unusual for you, so you report it to the ministry and we contact the relevant officials. It may be other ministries because using this system we bring different ministries and units together so we have a more holistic approach to our response as well.”