1.0 Selected Focus Areas Priority E?

The Division of Health, Wellness, and Social Protection will prioritize primary and tertiary healthcare by focusing on the following areas:

1. Integration of Technology:
   
   1. Hospital Management Systems (HMS): Automate administrative tasks to enhance patient care through electronic health records (EHRs) and improve communication among healthcare providers. This will ensure regulatory compliance and facilitate data-driven decision-making.
   2. Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE): Implement CPOE systems to standardize orders, reduce medication errors, and integrate with Electronic Health Records (EHRs) to support informed clinical decisions and enhance patient safety.
2. Infrastructure Development:
   
   1. Healthcare Facilities: Invest in upgrading healthcare facilities to ensure they are modern, well-equipped, and capable of delivering high-quality care. This includes upgrading existing hospitals, clinics, and specialized medical centers.
   2. Medical Equipment: Ensure healthcare facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment to support advanced diagnostic and treatment services.
3. Digital Medical Care:
   
   1. Telemedicine: Utilize telemedicine to deliver remote healthcare services, particularly in underserved remote villages. This includes developing telemedicine platforms and educating the public on their use.
4. Human Resource Development:
   
   1. Training and Education: Enhance the skills of healthcare professionals through continuous training and education programs. This includes specialized training in digital health, emergency care, and public health management.
   2. Recruitment and Retention: Attract and retain qualified healthcare professionals by offering competitive salaries, providing career development opportunities, and fostering a positive work environment.
5. Quality of Care:
   
   1. Standards and Accreditation: Establish and enforce high standards of care through accreditation and quality assurance programs. This ensures that healthcare services meet national and international benchmarks.
   2. Patient Safety: Promote patient safety by implementing protocols that reduce medical errors, improve infection control, and enhance emergency response capabilities.
6. Public Health:
   
   1. Preventive Care: Promote preventive care and public health initiatives to reduce the burden of chronic diseases and improve overall community health. This includes vaccination programs, health education, and lifestyle interventions.
   2. Health Promotion: Promote healthy lifestyles and disease prevention via community outreach initiatives and public awareness campaigns.
7. Financial Sustainability:
   
   1. Health Financing: Establish sustainable financing mechanisms to ensure the long-term viability of the healthcare system. This includes exploring public-private partnerships, health insurance schemes, and government funding.
   2. Cost-Effective Care: Implement cost-effective care models to optimize resource utilization and enhance healthcare outcomes without incurring additional costs.
8. Community Engagement:
   
   1. Patient-Centered Care: Prioritize the needs and safety of patients in all decisions as a fundamental principle. This encompasses personalized treatment plans, timely interventions, and enhanced patient outcomes through comprehensive patient information systems.
   2. Community Involvement: Engage communities in healthcare planning and delivery to ensure that services are culturally appropriate and responsive to local needs.

MAIN REFERENCE INFORMATION

1. HEALTH SYSTEMS PROFILE TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
2. Health Systems’ Resilience: COVID-19 Response in Trinidad and Tobago
3. Health Sector Reform- Improving Health Care Delivery in Trinidad and Tobago
4. Health at a Glance: Latin America and the Caribbean 2023
5. Health financing and access to medicines in the Caribbean
6. Awareness, Attitude, and Perception of Telemedicine Among Trinidad and Tobago Population
7. Strengthening the primary health care system in Trinidad and Tobago to achieve universal health coverage, with emphasis on human resources for health
8. Unlocking Access to Health: Caribbean and Central America Forge Path to Universal Health Coverage
9. The Adoption and Impact of Telemedicine on Health Equity: A Narrative Review From the Jamaican Context
10. Connecting the Caribbean to the Pan-American Highway for Digital Health
11. Understanding Digital Government Part 2: Digital Public Infrastructure