The OECS Regional Health Project recently hosted a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping training aimed at providing participants with knowledge on how to analyze and use GIS data to enhance decision making and respond to emergencies.

GIS Consultant for the OECS Commission Tricia Melville spoke on the need to build the capacity of participants on GIS mapping so as to ensure expanded use of the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technologies. 

“One of the main things is to ensure that the Geohub that is part of the OECS Regional Health Project, that persons are able to update data, download data and analyze data so that we can turn data into information for our health units. The training will start with an introduction of GIS and then we will go into how to utilize the Geohub to ensure everyone has access to it and how do we use the tools that are available. Geospatial tools available to analyze our information and to create maps and reports to ensure that we are able to perform our duties accordingly.”

Melville also emphasized on how the use of the Geohub and application of GIS tools are available for health surveillance and crisis mapping.

“The Geohub is part of the OECS Regional Health Project and it was launched to the member states so persons have access to upload their data and they can view data and there are different privileges in terms of accessing the site because we have to ensure that the data is safe and secure and persons may be able to view. But of course, our trainees are able to analyze the data and utilize the data to a higher level.”

Environmental Health Officer Glenda Etienne-Cepal said she was pleased to be part of this learning exercise and expressed hope to incorporate the knowledge acquired on Geohub and GIS mapping and monitoring in her day-to-day duties in her job.

“We are hoping that it can allow us to map and monitor trends among at-risk populations and with being able to do that, one of the things we expect to do is we will be able to allocate resources better, our decision making will be more informed and also so that we know what interventions that we can apply among those populations.”

The Capacity Building training in GIS mapping included the participation of Ministry of Health departments such as Environmental Health Division, Epidemiology Unit and Health Management Information Unit (HMIU) and Corporate Planning Unit.