Residents can now confidentially report unusual health events or potential public health threats by calling 311, weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition introduced the service on February 2 as part of its new Event-Based Surveillance (EBS) system, a formal reporting framework designed to capture and investigate unusual health events across the country.
According to National Epidemiologist Dr Michelle Francois, members of the public were already sharing concerns with the Ministry, but there was no clear reporting channel in place.
She explained that information would sometimes be passed along through informal networks, increasing the risk that critical details might not reach the appropriate officials in time. The new system addresses that gap by creating a direct and confidential reporting pathway.
“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.”
Francois emphasised that community involvement is central to the initiative’s success. The system empowers residents to report patterns or unusual observations, such as a spike in school absenteeism or the sighting of dead animals in public spaces which may signal emerging public health concerns.
These reports can then trigger investigations and, where necessary, coordinated action involving multiple ministries to ensure a comprehensive response.
Any third-party or user posts, comments, replies, and third-party entries published on the St. Lucia Times website (https://stluciatimes.com) in no way convey the thoughts, sentiments or intents of St. Lucia Times, the author of any said article or post, the website, or the business. St. Lucia Times is not responsible or liable for, and does not endorse, any comments or replies posted by users and third parties, and especially the content therein and whether it is accurate.
St. Lucia Times reserves the right to remove, screen, edit, or reinstate content posted by third parties on this website or any other online platform owned by St. Lucia Times (this includes the said user posts, comments, replies, and third-party entries) at our sole discretion for any reason or no reason, and without notice to you, or any user. For example, we may remove a comment or reply if we believe it violates any part of the St. Lucia Criminal Code, particularly section 313 which pertains to the offence of Libel. Except as required by law, we have no obligation to retain or provide you with copies of any content you as a user may post, or any other post or reply made by any third-party on this website or any other online platform owned by St. Lucia Times. All third-parties and users agree that this is a public forum, and we do not guarantee any confidentiality with respect to any content you as a user may post, or any other post or reply made by any third-party on this website. Any posts made and information disclosed by you is at your own risk.
